Paleontologists and students from the University of Kansas are very excited about their recent find in Montana’s Hell Creek Formation, located in the eastern part of the state.

According to phys.org, the group believes that the upper jaw section, with all of the teeth intact, along with parts of the skull, foot, hip and backbone all belong to a young Tyrannosaurus rex that lived 66 million years ago.

While researchers believe the specimen is that of a young Tyrannosaurus rex, they will continue to conduct detailed analysis in order to confirm that the theory is correct. The findings are expected to be published in the coming months.

The skull was the first bone found by the group, after that they began uncovering teeth. Members of the team have dubbed student researcher Kris Super the “real MVP” of the discovery because he is the one who first spotted the remains of the specimen.

“What’s fantastic about this specimen is that every tooth position is filled not only by a functioning working tooth, but also by replacement teeth,” says David Burnham, Vertebrate Paleontology Preparator at the KU Biodiversity Institute.

The remains were originally found two years ago, but the group actually unearthed the fossil this past summer.

Researchers will head back to Hell Creek this summer where they hope to discover additional remains.

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