Ancient Lizard Fossil Named for Tolkien’s Goblin Prince Unearthed in Utah

Paleontologists have uncovered a previously unknown species of armored lizard in Utah, and it’s named after a creature from J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world. This discovery sheds light on the prehistoric past of North America and highlights the importance of preserving natural spaces.

Discovery Details

The newly identified lizard, dubbed “Bolg amondol,” was roughly the size of a raccoon. It was covered in thick, protective armor. The fossil was found in the Kaiparowits Formation within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It is related to modern Gila monsters. The name “Bolg” comes from The Hobbit.

The genus name “amondol,” from Tolkien’s Elvish, means “mound-headed,” referring to the lizard’s skull structure. The creature had sharp teeth and spiked skin, indicating it was a formidable predator approximately 75 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period.

From Museum Drawer to Prehistoric Spotlight

The fossil was originally excavated in 2005, but it was overlooked until Dr. Hank Woolley of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County re-examined a museum specimen. This overlooked specimen turned out to be a new species. This discovery has spurred in-depth research into its evolutionary background.

The remains, which are incomplete, include portions of the skull, vertebrae, limb bones, and dermal armor, also known as osteoderms. These remnants have helped paleontologists gain a better understanding of this obscure group of lizards. They have also helped with their place in ancient ecosystems that were dominated by dinosaurs. Dr. Randy Irmis of the University of Utah emphasized the significance of revisiting older museum specimens.

“Many important discoveries lie dormant for years until a fresh perspective reveals their importance.”

—Dr. Randy Irmis, University of Utah

Bolg is one of at least three large predatory lizards known from the region, increasing the comprehension of ancient food chains. Today, the global lizard population faces threats, with 22% of species considered threatened or near threatened with extinction (Science, 2022).

Continental Connections

Bolg’s closest known relative lived in the Gobi Desert of Asia, which points to intercontinental migration routes during the Late Cretaceous period. This finding backs up theories suggesting that land bridges allowed smaller reptiles to travel between connected continents, just like some dinosaurs and mammals did.

According to Dr. Joe Sertich of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, lizards like Bolg likely held significant ecological roles. Their diet may have included dinosaur eggs, small animals, and carrion, placing them alongside today’s monitor lizards in terms of behavior and function.

Early-Career Scientist’s Breakthrough

The findings were published in Royal Society Open Science. They were supported by the National Science Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Dinosaur Institute. Dr. Woolley began this work as a PhD student and continues it as a postdoctoral fellow.

Dr. Nathan Smith, a co-author from the Dinosaur Institute, highlighted the importance of institutions that support budding researchers in exploring Earth’s deep past. The Kaiparowits Formation is famous for its dinosaur fossils. This new find adds yet another chapter to its prehistoric history.