Unearthed in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, scientists have stumbled upon a Jurassic gem dating back around 165 million years: Spicomellus, a bizarre dinosaur clad in an extraordinary array of spikes and armor that defies understanding.

At about 4 meters in length and weighing between one to two tons, Spicomellus stands out as the oldest known member of the ankylosaurs—a group of tank-like, plant-eating dinosaurs. Unlike anything encountered before, its armor is described as 'jaw-droppingly weird' by Richard Butler, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study published in *Nature*.

This dinosaur sported spikes up to a whopping one meter long along its ribs, as well as spines reminiscent of golf clubs encircling its neck. Such features raise intriguing questions about their purpose—both for defense against predators and possibly for attracting mates.

"While it clearly had some defensive capabilities, it’s hard to envision how those enormous neck spikes served in that role—they seem a bit excessive," Butler remarked. According to co-author Susannah Maidment from London's Natural History Museum, these extravagant traits may have evolved for courtship displays, much like the antlers of deer or the tail feathers of peacocks.

Though the fossil remains are not complete—missing crucial parts like the head—they offer valuable insights into Spicomellus, which was previously known only from a single rib fragment found in 2021. Remarkably, its back was covered with short spikes and was complemented by a bony collar adorned with protruding plates and spikes, including one that likely exceeded 87 cm in length when alive. Additionally, a fused tail structure hints at a formidable tail weapon, perhaps a club or spikes, suggesting that such features evolved much earlier than previously thought.

Ankylosaurs, thriving long after their more famous cousins the stegosaurs, were amongst the most successful herbivorous dinosaurs until their demise 66 million years ago due to an apocalyptic asteroid strike. Spicomellus, with its spectacularly elaborate armor, differs from later ankylosaurs, which exhibited more plain body designs as predatory threats grew.

The discovery of Spicomellus not only changes our understanding of dinosaur evolution but underscores the diversity and ingenuity of these ancient creatures. And who knows—perhaps there's even stranger dinosaur treasure waiting to be uncovered in the fossilized depths!