This year, you’ll be joining paleontologists to excavate a specific sauropod specimen in the only known titanosaur bone site in the world! This spectacular bonebed contains thousands of bones of multiple species of titanosaurs and theropods. Work on this site is of particular interest to paleontologists as these are the last titanosaur fauna that lived before the K-Pg extinction the wiped out the dinosaurs.

This itinerary includes FIVE days of hands-on excavation work in the Valley of the Titans alongside paleontologists Mattia Baiano, Diego Pol, and Bernat Vila. 

You will be working for 8 hours each day which requires both stamina and some physical strength. You will be sitting for long periods but will not be required to walk far distances. That said, we discourage people with limitations or motor difficulties from joining this expedition as the work is not always physically comfortable.

You will learn and partake in paleontological excavation and all tools will be provided. 

• Discovery and unearthing fossilized bone

• The use of hand tools such as oyster knives, awls, and paint brushes

• Is there harder work involved? How hard is the matrix?

• Light work with shovels and pick axes

• Trenching and pedestaling to extract the fossils from the ground

• Taking all of the requisite scientific data

• Fossil jacketing process to ensure safe transport to the museum

• Is there any heavy work involved? Buckets? Sledghammer? Etc?

Dig Days Include:

• 7am: Breakfast at the hotel

• 8am: Depart for the dig site (30-minute drive) HOW LONG IS THE DRIVE FROM GRAL ROCA TO THE SITE?

• 9am–12 p.m.: WHAT TIME IS Excavation

• 12pm: Break for lunch in the field

• 12:30pm-5pm: Continue excavation

• 5pm: Drive back to town and relax at the hotel

• 7pm.: Dinner at the hotel

• Snacks will be provided throughout the workday

​​

Also Included:

• An introductory lecture by the paleontologists (in English)

• A guided visit tp the Museo Patagonico de Ciencias Naturales

• cultural visit in the wine/cider factory or other museums in the region)​​​

• Welcome and farewell dinners with the scientists

Accommodations

6 nights of accommodations are included  (Sun-Fri) in the town of General Roca and daily transport to and from the dig site each day. The hotel has laundry faciilties

​

There are no bathrooms at the dig site but there is an outhouse in camp, which is about a 10-15 minute walk each way from the site.​

​​​​

Click here for more details on what to expect on a paleontology dig. 

Patagonia is known for its natural beauty and also its extreme temperature changes! There will be sunny, windy and some cool days.

You can expect warm days of about 20-28C (68-82F) and cold nights.

What to Bring:

• Clothing for both summer and winter

• Long pants and shorts

• Long sleeved shirts and short sleeved shirts

• Work boots

• Windbreaker

• Sunglasses

• Hat/cap

• Sun protection

• Water bottle

• Backpack

• Visa

• Travel insurance is mandatory

​

​​

​

1. What makes this site significant?
   The Valle de Los Titanos site is known for the high number of Cretaceous fossils. In the past years, the site has yielded mor than 500 dinosaur fossils, mainly sauropods and theropods.

2. What has been most surprising about the discoveries here?​
   The most surprising thing related to the Valle de Los Titanos site is the difference in size among the bones. We think this may be related to the different ages of these specimens. Some bones seem to be from individuals that could have been more than 15 meters long. But, we’ve also found the remains of a little sauropod, with limb bones of no more than 20 centimeters.

3. What are your current research objectives here? 
   Our current objectives are to continue excavating a new sauropod specimen that was discovered last year. We’ll also obtain geological samples for palynological studies (spores, pollens), and to prospect new areas. In general, our work will shed light on understanding the biodiversity and evolution of these dinosaurs within their prehistoric ecosystems.

4. What was most important or rewarding find at this site?​
   The most important finds at the Valle de Los Titanos site have been the sauropod skulls discovered a few meters away from each other and several cranial elements found scattered around the site.

• Pricing is per person based on double occupancy. ​

• Full Payment is due upon booking

​​

Includes:

• Transportation to and from the dig site every day​

• Breakfasts, lunches daily

• Welcome and Farewell dinners

• Hotel stay in General Roca

• Transportation to xxxxxxx

• ​​​

Excludes:​

• International flights

• Personal, travel and medical insurance 

• Alcoholic beverages​​​​​

• Dinners on Mon-Thur evenings