The Discovery

Each summer, a team of students and alumni from the University of Northern Colorado travels to a remote plot of land near Douglas, Wyoming, to uncover ancient remnants of prehistoric life. The origin of this site traces back to 1986, when a local rancher noticed a bone protruding from the prairie. After the Wyoming Dinosaur Center verified the fossil, the location became an active dig site for paleontologists nationwide. In 2023, Associate Professor Marian Hamilton established the university's annual trip to bring students directly into this real-world research setting.

What Scientists Found

Participants on the excavation carefully extract Jurassic-era fossils from dense rock matrix. Their efforts have uncovered remains from notable species, including:

  • Apatosaurus: A large, long-necked dinosaur species.
  • Allosaurus: A prehistoric dinosaur excavated at the site.

To safely free these fragile specimens, the team relies on chisels, brushes, and dental tools to break away the hard rock without damaging the bone beneath. Once the fossils are cleared, students analyze their chemical composition using portable X-ray fluorescence devices.

Why It Matters

Fieldwork introduces unpredictable challenges that cannot be replicated in a classroom. For undergraduate students, gaining practical experience is critical for future employment. State and federal regulations require trained archaeologists on construction projects to protect Indigenous cultural sites and paleontological resources, making hands-on skills essential across the sector.

While the field trip initially faced financial uncertainty, funding stabilized when the site's managing nonprofit, the Wyoming Dinosaurium, received a multi-year grant from the David B. Jones Foundation. With Hamilton serving as principal investigator, the grant covers meals, lodging, and a three-year research program, allowing the team to establish long-term excavation plans.

📚 Read More at the Source

Source: dinosaur fossil discovery - BingNews · Published October 21, 2026 · Photo by Joao Vitor Marcilio on Unsplash