Unearthing History: Dinosaur Fossils Found During Parking Lot Renovation at Dinosaur National Monument
A recent parking lot renovation project at Dinosaur National Monument has led to the discovery of dinosaur fossils at the site for the first time in over a century. The fossils were found near the Quarry Exhibit Hall after workers removed asphalt, revealing dinosaur-bearing sandstone. Park staff identified the remains as belonging to a Diplodocus, a large, long-necked dinosaur commonly found in the area's historic bonebed.
The excavation of the fossils involved the collaboration of park officials, a Utah Conservation Corps crew, volunteers, and construction workers. Between mid-September and mid-October, approximately 3,000 pounds of fossils and surrounding rock were removed from the site. The fossils are currently undergoing cleaning and study at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, where visitors can observe the preparation process in the museum's fossil lab.
The site had not been excavated since 1924, following earlier digs conducted by the Carnegie Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the University of Utah in the early 20th century. Some of the newly discovered fossils are already on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the Utah Field House museum. The Quarry Exhibit Hall, known as the "Wall of Bones," is a popular attraction at the park, offering visitors the opportunity to view around 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in rock.
After the excavation, the parking lot and road improvement project was completed, including new concrete and asphalt work and accessibility upgrades around the exhibit hall. The discovery of dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur National Monument has sparked excitement and interest among visitors and researchers alike, shedding new light on the prehistoric history of the area.