How a Denver Museum’s Green Initiative Uncovered a 67-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Secret

A recent geothermal drilling project at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science unearthed an astonishing surprise: a 67.5-million-year-old dinosaur fossil hidden 763 feet below the museum’s parking lot. This discovery marks the deepest and oldest fossil found in the Denver area.

Initially, the museum’s team was not on a fossil hunt. They were drilling to assess the potential for geothermal energy, aiming to learn more about the geology of the Denver Basin. When they extracted a two-inch core sample, they were astonished to find a partial vertebra of a plant-eating dinosaur, dating back to the late Cretaceous period—about 1.5 million years before the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs.

James Hagadorn, the museum’s geology curator, shared his excitement about this rare find. He compared it to “hitting a hole-in-one from the Moon,” emphasizing how unusual it is to find dinosaur bones this way. In fact, globally, there have been only two other documented fossil discoveries from core samples, and neither took place at a museum dedicated to dinosaur studies.

The fossil’s discovery points to an ancient swampy environment rich in vegetation. This indicates that the dinosaur thrived in a lush ecosystem, suggesting a very different landscape than we see today.

While they found a fascinating glimpse into the past, scientists face challenges in identifying the dinosaur. Patrick O’Connor, curator of vertebrate paleontology, noted that the partial vertebra limits them. Erin LaCount from Dinosaur Ridge proposed that it could belong to a small herbivore, possibly a duck-billed dinosaur, but there’s still uncertainty.

Not every expert shares the same enthusiasm. Thomas Williamson from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History questioned the scientific significance of the find, describing it as surprising but not particularly exciting.

Despite mixed reactions, the fossil now captivates visitors in the museum’s Discovering Teen Rex exhibit. Hagadorn joked about wanting to excavate the entire parking lot for more fossils, though he acknowledged the need for parking space.

This intriguing discovery reflects how even routine projects can reveal the wonders of our planet’s history. As scientists continue to study the fossil, it serves as a reminder of the secrets still buried beneath our feet.

For more insights into paleontological discoveries and their implications, check out this study on fossil findings.

Source link