Natural History, including Gorgosaurus
Natural History, including Gorgosaurus
Acheroraptor Hand Claw
Auction Closed
July 28, 03:27 PM GMT
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Acheroraptor Hand Claw
Acheroraptor temetyorum
Late Cretaceous (approx. 67 million years ago)
Hell Creek Formation, Garfield County, Montana
2 by 1 inches (5 x 2.5 cm).
Complete sickle-shaped hand claw (manus ungula phalanx) in excellent condition with no restoration and minor surface erosion around the joint. The flexor tubercle is large and prominent. The nerve groove does not bifurcate nor does it continue to the tip, which may be a diagnostic feature of this species.
Exceedingly rare and known only from fragmentary remains, Acheroraptor, or "underworld thief", was an estimated 8 foot (2.5 meter) long member of the Dromaeosaurid (raptor) family. This group of feathered and lightly-built carnivorous theropod dinosaurs is most notable for their retractable killing claws.
Acheroraptor lived alongside more commonly-known dinosaurs including T. rex, Triceratops, and Pachycephalosaurus, and was amongst the last dinosaurs alive before the mass extinction event that resulted in the demise of all non-avian dinosaurs. Only officially named in 2013, Acheroraptor remains one of the newest and least well-known animals from the Hell Creek Formation, adding to the intrigue and importance of the beautiful—and deadly—sickle claw offered here.