Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Fossil Resembling Triceratops Horn Discovered in Uttar Pradesh
Scientists found a fossil in India that looks like a horn from a Triceratops, a dinosaur that lived a very long time ago.
The fossil was found near a river and might be part of the dinosaur's nose.
While it looks a lot like a Triceratops horn, scientists are still not completely sure.
This fossil is special because it's very well-preserved, turning into sandstone over millions of years after being buried near mountains.
Finding fossils helps us learn about ancient creatures that once lived on Earth.
A fossil, believed to be the nasal horn of a Triceratops, has been discovered in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The discovery was made along the banks of the Sahansara River by researcher Mohammad Umar Saif.
The fossil's morphology, shape, and size closely resemble known Triceratops fossils found globally.
Triceratops dinosaurs lived during the Late Cretaceous period, between 100.5 million and 66 million years ago.
The fossil is exceptionally well-preserved due to complete transformation into sandstone through heavy mineralization over approximately 35-40 million years while buried in the Himalayan foothills.
- Who
- Mohammad Umar Saif, founder of the Natural History and Conservation Centre
- What
- A fossil believed to be the nasal horn of a Triceratops dinosaur
- When
- The fossil dates back millions of years to the Late Cretaceous period (100.5 million to 66 million years ago). The discovery was reported recently.
- Where
- Along the banks of the Sahansara River in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- Why
- The fossil was discovered during an excavation and is of interest due to its morphology, shape, and size, which closely resemble known Triceratops fossils.
Fossil Identification
Fossil Characteristics
Confirmation of Dinosaur Species
Fossil Identification
Mohammad Umar Saif states that while the fossil closely resembles known Triceratops fossils, definitive confirmation of the species is not yet possible.
Fossil Characteristics
The fossil's morphology, shape, and size are very similar to other Triceratops fossils found globally, suggesting it could be a nasal horn of the dinosaur.
- Location
- Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India
- River
- Sahansara River
- Discovered By
- Mohammad Umar Saif (Founder, Natural History and Conservation Centre)
- Fossil Part
- Nasal horn
- Potential Dinosaur
- Triceratops
- Geological Period
- Late Cretaceous (100.5 million to 66 million years ago)
- Estimated Mineralization Period
- 35-40 million years
Sources
Fossil believed to be of Triceratops, the three-horned dinosaur, found in UP’s Saharanpur: Researcher
Jurassic Jackpot: 'Exceptionally Preserved' Dinosaur Fossil Unearthed in UP's Saharanpur!
Fossil Resembling 3-Horned Dinosaur, Triceratops, Found In UP's Saharanpur
Dinosaur fossil found in UP's Saharanpur? Researcher says 35-40 million years old three-horned Triceratops excavated
Rare fossil resembling Triceratops unearthed along Sahansara River in Uttar Pradesh
