More than 60 years after it was first unearthed in outback Queensland, one of Australia’s most iconic dinosaurs is revealing extraordinary new secrets, thanks to the power of museum collections and cutting-edge science.
At the heart of this discovery is Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, the official fossil emblem of Queensland and a treasured specimen held in the Queensland Museum Collection.
Now, in a landmark new study published in PeerJ, researchers, including Queensland Museum palaeontologists have re-examined this remarkable fossil using advanced imaging techniques, unlocking new insights into how this dinosaur lived, moved and even smelled.
A Queensland Museum specimen at the centre of global research
The original Muttaburrasaurus fossil was uncovered in 1963 near the town of Muttaburra and soon after became part of the Queensland Museum collection, where it remains one of the most complete dinosaur skeletons from Gondwana .
Decades later, that same specimen is still driving world-class research.
By revisiting both the original fossil and newly identified fragments held in the collection, researchers were able to digitally reconstruct the dinosaur’s skull in unprecedented detail. Using CT scanning and 3D modelling, they explored parts of the fossil that had never been seen before, including internal structures of the braincase and nasal passages.
This research showcases that museum collections are not static archives, rather living scientific resources, constantly generating new knowledge.
A “picky eater” with a surprisingly toothy grin
One of the most surprising discoveries in this new research?
Muttaburrasaurus wasn’t the simple plant-muncher scientists once imagined.
The study revealed that this large herbivore had teeth at the very front of its snout, something previously thought to be absent in dinosaurs of its kind.
This narrow, tooth-lined beak suggests it was a selective feeder, likely choosing specific leaves, seeds and possibly even small invertebrates, rather than grazing indiscriminately.
Combined with grinding cheek teeth (more like a cow or kangaroo than a slicing predator), it paints a picture of a dinosaur with a surprisingly refined diet.
Built for smell, movement and survival
The research also uncovered clues about how Muttaburrasaurus experienced the world around it.
- Exceptional sense of smell: Large olfactory bulbs and complex nasal chambers suggest it could detect food, predators, or even navigate its environment with precision
- Flexible movement: Inner ear structures indicate it could likely move on two legs when needed, despite its size
- Wide field of vision: Its eyes were positioned to monitor its surroundings ideal for spotting danger across ancient Queensland landscapes
Perhaps most striking is its distinctive bulbous nose, now understood to contain previously unknown bones and air chambers, a feature unique among dinosaurs.
Life on the edge of an inland sea
Around 96 million years ago, Muttaburrasaurus lived near the vast inland Eromanga Sea, which once covered much of Queensland.
Evidence suggests it may even have had specialised adaptations, like potential salt-processing glands, allowing it to feed on coastal plants and survive in this dynamic environment.
Why museum collections matter more than ever
This breakthrough highlights something essential: the future of discovery often lies in the past.
Specimens collected decades ago, like Queensland Museum’s Muttaburrasaurus, continue to yield new insights as technology advances and fresh questions are asked.
Without the preservation, care and ongoing research access provided by museums, discoveries like this simply wouldn’t be possible.
See the science come to life during Dinosaur Week
This new research comes to life at Queensland Museum during Queensland Dinosaur Week, where visitors can dive deeper into the world of Australia’s prehistoric giants.
Even more exciting, lead author of this paper Dr Matthew Herne will be at the museum for A Night at the Museum, sharing firsthand insights into this groundbreaking study and what it reveals about one of Queensland’s most beloved dinosaurs.
It’s a rare opportunity to hear directly from the scientists transforming fossils into stories and stories into new knowledge.
From fossil to future
Muttaburrasaurus has long been a symbol of Queensland’s prehistoric past.
Now, thanks to the Queensland Museum collection, it’s also shaping the future of dinosaur science.
New technologies are revealing surprising new insights on the QM collection. Who knows what else is waiting to be uncovered right here in the collection.
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