Named after its discoverer Luke Phipps, Luke is a Triceratops prorsus skeleton and skull mostly articulated. Very rare in the Hell Creek Formation.
Giving a tour of the Luke specimen to a visiting University group working in Garfield County.
Getting mapping images and measurements of the Luke site. We will photograph all exposed elements with scale. It is our plan to take the entire site in one field jacket, preserving all of the articulation and possible soft tissue.
Taking measurements of the skull. Here you can see the nose horn, and rostrum area of the skull.
A cap jacket has been put on Luke. Now, we are working around the entire site to create a pedestal. This jacket will weigh over 35 thousand pounds with the steel support frame.
The crew all working on building layers on the plaster jacket for Luke.
Realizing the size of the jacket, we are contimplating a plan for removing it all in one piece. Jim, a friend of Clayton is with us to help in the project.
Here is a picture of the Luke jacket in situ. The specimen was found about 40 feet up from ground level on the side of a very steep cliff.
The entire site is encased in a field jacket. Now we have to build the frame that will allow us to flip it over and transport it from the site.
Constructing the base of the steel fram and roll cage. Chris is welding the base of the frame which will go on top of the field jacket and then be flipped over. All of this is done on-site.
Clayton is also helping with the frame constuction.
Using the skid steer to lift the base of the fram on top of the field jacket.
Roll cage frame is completed.
Starting to tip the field jacket for the roll.
Field jacket is tipped 90 degrees. Now it can be turned another 90 and ready for loading onto a trailer to be transported to the lab in Fort Peck.
Working into the night. As usual, problems arise with moving such a large specimen. From flipping to removing from the field ended up taking over a week. Rain and other factors made this one of the most difficult tasks we have ever done.
Unloading Luke into the lab. We had to dig a massive hole behind the lab to back the trailer into so it would be level with the floor. We then used rollers to slowely move the 35 thousand pound block into the lab.
Preparing on the specimen. Tom Seever is on the left, Clayton on the right.
Getting to the skull of Luke
Starting to work around the complete skull of luke.
The skull after some micro-blasting.
Soft tissue preservation found on Luke. Very rare!
Katie, our resident paleo-artist sketches the prominent skin patch on Luke.
A picture of the lower and upper dentition of the Luke skull. All of the teeth are in position.
The entire site has been show prepared and is now ready for acquistion. What a great specimen.
Specimen Information
A mostly articulated partial skeleton and complete skull of Triceratops prorsus. This specimen was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of N.E. Montana by Luke Phipps in 2017.
Highlights
1. Complete articulated skull with lower dentition and teeth.
2. Articulated spine from the skull to the hip along with fully articulation of the left dorsal ribs.
3. Soft tissue preservation throughout the site.
4. Theropod teeth lodged into the soft tissue areas from two different theropods, a result of scavenging.
5. Contained in one jacket, an outstanding exhibit for anyone.
Status:
This specimen has been acquired. It is no longer available for purchase.