A team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, uncovering a nearly 68 million-year-old dinosaur fossil buried beneath the museum’s parking lot. The find is significant not only because of its age but also because it is believed to be the deepest and oldest dinosaur fossil ever discovered within the city limits.
The fossil, which includes the vertebra of an herbivorous dinosaur thought to be a Thescelosaurus or Edmontosaurus, was found approximately 763 feet below the surface during a geothermal test drilling project. The discovery was made by James Hagadorn, a geology curator at the museum, who described it as “quite the cherry” on top of the project’s intended mission.
The dinosaur is believed to have roamed the region around 67.5 million years ago, just days before the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs. The fossil provides valuable insights into the geological history of the area and highlights the importance of continued exploration and discovery.
Hagadorn expressed his excitement about the find, saying it’s a reminder that “there’s lots of geology underfoot” and that the layers of Earth beneath us can reveal useful information. The museum plans to offer free admission days to allow everyone to access the fossil and other exhibits.
This discovery is not unprecedented in Colorado, as previous finds have included a Triceratops horn underneath Coors Field’s home plate and fossils discovered beneath Denver International Airport.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/jurassic-park-ing-lot-dino-fossil-turns-denver/story?id=123675460