Remarkable Discovery: Dinosaur Fossil Unearthed Beneath Denver Museum Parking Lot

Paleontologists at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science recently made an exciting discovery right under their parking lot. During a drilling project aimed at analyzing underground rock layers, they stumbled upon a dinosaur fossil. This unexpected find is a vertebra from a plant-eating dinosaur, dating back over 67 million years.

The reached depth during the drilling was approximately 760 feet (230 meters), making this piece the oldest and deepest fossil uncovered in Denver. Although they couldn’t identify the exact species because the bone was too small, it has been classified as part of a group known as ornithopods, which are bipedal herbivores. What’s more, this discovery marks the first instance of an ornithopod being found within the city limits.

Dr. James Hagadorn, the museum’s geology curator, explained that while similar dinosaurs have been identified in surrounding areas like Colorado and Wyoming, the presence of these dinosaurs in Denver was previously unconfirmed. He described the area as once filled with lush plants, such as ferns, where these creatures roamed.

Although much of the fossil remains buried, Hagadorn pointed out that they have no plans to excavate further. The parking lot serves a crucial function for the museum, allowing visitors to park right above where a dinosaur once walked.

The initial goal of the drilling project was to evaluate a potential switch to geothermal energy. Researchers have more rock samples to analyze, which could reveal additional fossils or minerals, improving our understanding of the region’s geology and even water sources.

According to Dr. Paul Olsen, a paleontologist from Columbia University, this finding shows that dinosaur fossils can turn up in unexpected places, even in urban areas. He noted that dinosaur bones are not extremely rare; they just need the right circumstances to be uncovered.

The Cretaceous rocks in Colorado are in good condition mainly because they haven’t been damaged by volcanic activities or geological faults, which is why the area is a hotspot for fossil findings.

This discovery has rekindled interest in previously found fossils in the Denver metropolitan area, such as those of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. Recent advances in satellite data allow scientists to more accurately date these fossils, which helps build a clearer picture of life’s timeline on Earth.

Despite most fossil discoveries taking place in rural areas, this recent finding reminds us that urban settings may hold hidden treasures. Understanding where dinosaurs fit into our planet’s history enriches our knowledge of life on Earth and how it has evolved. Such discoveries serve as a reminder of our world’s rich geological narrative and its ongoing changes.

For more insights on the topic, you can check out the research published in the journal Rocky Mountain Geology.

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