Tucson, AZ -- At the world's most famous gem and fossil fair that is held every year in Tucson, Arizona, geologist and paleontologist Stefano Piccini, founder and president of Geoworld, will present on January 29, 2026, in his exhibition space, “Ozzy”, the skull of a majestic Triceratops from the Late Cretaceous period (68-66 MYA). Its fossilized remains were found in North America and underwent restoration lasting over a year at Geoworld Paleontological Laboratory in Italy. Thanks to the mineral composition of the soil in which the fossilization process took place, the specimen has a bright coloration rich in nuances that makes it unique.
Before being displayed to the public, the most important fossil treasures are given a name. The name Ozzy is meant to pay homage to John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (3 December 1948 – 22 July 2025), founder in 1968, together with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, of the iconic rock band Black Sabbath. The news of his death, which immediately spread around the world, arrived in the days when the long restoration work was coming to an end. The tribute was urged by the team of restorers led by Vladislav Shabalin, creator of “Fossil Art”, who in August 1989, along with 100,000 other spectators, attended Osbourne’s memorable show at Moscow Music Peace Festival.
The fossilized Triceratops skull (the scientific term Triceratops, from ancient Greek, literally means “three-horned face”) instantly evokes the gesture of the horns. Having ancient origins and different meanings (think of the symbolism linked to the horns of the sacred bull in Minoan civilization or the apotropaic use of horns, widespread especially in southern Italy), the “Horned Hand” is a recognized symbol in rock culture and in line with the mystical themes of the music of Black Sabbath: at their concerts, thousands of raised horned hands paid homage to the band and expressed unity and belonging.
The Triceratops could reach 9 meters in length, 3 meters in height, and weigh over 10 tons. Herbivorous but equipped with powerful horns and a formidable bony collar, it was not a docile animal but a creature capable of defending itself from more fearsome predators such as the T. Rex. Like a fantastic beast sprung from Dante's Inferno or born from Goya's nightmares, the mythical giant could well represent Osbourne, already a legend in his lifetime. A charismatic personality and true rock icon, with his eccentric style, theatrical poses, and songs that have touched millions, the “Prince of Darkness,” as he was also nicknamed, influenced the culture of his time, musical and beyond, shaping the genre and inspiring generations of musicians.
A fragment was extracted from Triceratops Ozzy and packaged to be donated to the Birmingham Museum Art & Gallery, where the exhibition “Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero” was set up to celebrate the rock star in his hometown.
###