Dino Autopsy

A mummified Hadrosaur was discovered in North Dakota by a teenager in 1999. On December 9th, 2007, at 9 pm, EST, National Geographic Channel will air Dino Autopsy. This show will detail the dig and subsequent CT scans of this 67 million year old dinosaur.

The fact that this dino was found with skin, tissues, ligaments and tendons intact has led scientists to change their ideas about dinosaur appearance and movement.

With the aid of a large-scale CT scanner, researchers determined that Dakota had a more muscular rear end and more powerful legs than previously believed, according to Manning.

To become mummified, first the dinosaur body had to escape predators, scavengers, and degradation by weather and water. Then a chemical process must have mineralized the tissue before bacteria ate it. And finally, the remains had to survive millions of years undamaged.