Photos: Spiky-Headed Dinosaur Found in Utah, But It Has Asian Roots

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Reassembly team

Newfound ankylosaur

(Image credit: Phase 2 Productions)

The exhibits team reassembles Akainacephalus johnsoni in its new home.

Secure tail

Newfound ankylosaur

(Image credit: Phase 2 Productions)

Exhibits manager Timothy Lee secures the tail base on Akainacephalus johnsoni.

Spiky skull

Newfound ankylosaur

(Image credit: Phase 2 Productions)

The spiky, heavily ornamented skull of Akainacephalus johnsoni. Its unique skull isn't like the smooth skulls of other ankylosaurs found in North America. Rather, it looks more like ankylosaurs found in Asia, suggesting that it evolved from Asian ancestors.

Last touches

Newfound ankylosaur

(Image credit: Phase 2 Productions)

Exhibits preparator Emily Szalay puts a few final touches on the reassembled skeleton of Akainacephalus johnsoni.

Namesake

Newfound ankylosaur

(Image credit: Mark Johnston)

Expert preparator Randy Johnson, after whom the species was named, spent hundreds of hours removing the Akainacephalus johnsoni skeleton from the surrounding rock and debris.

[Read more about the spiky ankylosaur]

Laura Geggel
Laura Geggel
Editor

Laura is the archaeology and Life's Little Mysteries editor at Live Science. She also reports on general science, including paleontology. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Scholastic, Popular Science and Spectrum, a site on autism research. She has won multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association for her reporting at a weekly newspaper near Seattle. Laura holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in science writing from NYU.