Denver Museum Uncovers Dinosaur Fossil Beneath Parking Lot
DENVER -- A remarkable fossil discovery has been made beneath the parking lot of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, surprising many with its proximity to the museum's renowned dinosaur exhibits. The find emerged from a borehole drilled over 750 feet deep, aimed at assessing geothermal heating potential.
Known for its impressive dinosaur displays that captivate visitors of all ages, the museum has now added an unexpected chapter to its story. Museum officials were astounded when a fossil, resembling a hockey puck, was recovered from such a narrow bore, which measured only a couple of inches wide. The odds of encountering a dinosaur bone in this manner are exceedingly low, even in a region rich with prehistoric remains.
James Hagadorn, the museum's curator of geology, highlighted the rarity of the find by likening it to an extraordinary achievement, stating that finding a dinosaur bone in a core sample is akin to achieving a "hole in one from the moon."
The fossil, identified as a vertebra from a small plant-eating dinosaur, dates back approximately 67.5 million years to the late Cretaceous period. This era came to an end around 66 million years ago due to a significant asteroid impact that contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs. Additionally, fossilized vegetation was discovered in the borehole adjacent to the bone, indicating that this dinosaur lived in a lush, swampy environment.
Patrick O'Connor, the curator of vertebrate paleontology at the museum, noted that the discovery provides insights into the ecosystem of the time, which would have been teeming with vegetation. The area has previously yielded notable finds, including parts of Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops fossils, but this particular specimen is the oldest and deepest dinosaur fossil located in Denver.
Experts in paleontology have acknowledged the significance of the find, although opinions vary regarding its scientific excitement. Thomas Williamson, a curator at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, expressed that while the discovery is surprising, it may not provide specific species identification.
Erin LaCount, director of education programs at the nearby Dinosaur Ridge track site, praised the discovery as both legitimate and exciting, suggesting that the fossil's shape hints at a duck-billed dinosaur or a similar smaller species.
The fossil is now on display at the museum, drawing interest from visitors, though officials have no plans to further excavate the parking lot for additional finds. Hagadorn humorously remarked on the impracticality of digging a massive hole in the parking lot, given the necessity of maintaining parking space for visitors.
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