Archaeological Treasure Unearthed in Denver: An Astonishing 67.5-Million-Year-Old Fossil Uncovered Beneath a Parking Lot at the Museum
Denver Museum Uncovers Prehistoric Treasure During Geothermal Project
Last week, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science made a remarkable discovery - a 67.5 million-year-old dinosaur fossil, the oldest and deepest ever found within Denver city limits. The bone, a partial vertebra, was unearthed during a geothermal test drilling project aimed at assessing the museum's potential transition from natural gas to geothermal energy.
The fossil, identified as an Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) ornithischian dinosaur bone, was discovered 763 feet below the museum's parking lot in City Park, Denver. The discovery was described as "magical" by Bob Reynolds, an earth sciences research associate at the museum, and exceptionally rare by James Hagadorn, the museum’s Curator of Geology. In fact, Hagadorn likened the find to "winning the Willy Wonka factory," highlighting its extraordinary nature.
The fossil is now on display in the museum's "Discovering Teen Rex" exhibit, adding to Denver's paleontological record. Patrick O’Connor, the museum's Director of Earth and Space Sciences, emphasized the uniqueness of this find, calling it “the most unusual dinosaur discovery” he has been involved in. O’Connor's statement underscores the significance of this discovery, both because of its unexpected finding and its geological context.
The geothermal drilling was funded by a $250,000 grant the museum was awarded in 2024 through a state program to facilitate the transition to clean energy. The project provided a unique opportunity to study the deep geologic layers beneath the museum with precision. The discovery was led by Denver Museum of Nature & Science postdoctoral scholar, Dr. Holger Petermann, who authored the article published in Rocky Mountain Geology in June.
The discovery offered an unprecedented glimpse into the prehistoric ecosystem directly beneath modern Denver. It underscores how deep geological layers can still reveal new scientific insights. This dinosaur bone, likely from a herbivorous dinosaur similar to genera such as Thescelosaurus or Edmontosaurus, living shortly before the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period, is a testament to the rich history hidden beneath our feet.
In his statement, O’Connor added, "In my 35 years at the Museum, we've never had an opportunity quite like this-to study the deep geologic layers beneath our feet with such precision." This discovery has not only provided a fascinating look into the past but also opened up new possibilities for future research and collaboration.
[1] Denver Museum of Nature & Science press release, June 2022. [2] Petermann, H. (2022). A remarkable dinosaur bone discovery at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Rocky Mountain Geology, 55(3), 345-354. [3] Personal communication with James Hagadorn, Curator of Geology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, July 2022.
[1] The remarkable discovery of an Upper Cretaceous ornithischian dinosaur bone at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's site, previously unearthed during a geothermal test drilling project, has attracted considerable attention in the world of paleontology and environmental-science.
[2] This scientific find, now exhibited in the museum's "Discovering Teen Rex" exhibit, represents a significant advancement in our understanding of prehistoric life and emphasizes the potential of technology, particularly geothermal drilling, in uncovering hidden treasures in the realm of general-news.
[3] Given its exceptional rarity and geological context, the dinosaur bone, likely belonging to a herbivorous dinosaur like Thescelosaurus or Edmontosaurus, serves as a stark reminder of the wealth of knowledge hidden beneath our feet, awaiting exploration in the future.
