Description:

 

The Triceratops Gulch Program in Glenrock, Wyoming is a joint program offered through the Morrison Natural History Museum and Glenrock Paleon Museum. For dinosaur lovers and families who want a ringside view of the county where the holotype of the first Triceratops fossil was unearthed, this is the dig for you!

 

Starting as far back as the late 19th century, the plentiful dinosaur remains in Wyoming came to the attention of scientists O.C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. This began the “Dinosaur Wars,” as these two rivals battled for supremacy. In the process, they, and others like them helped unearth a treasure trove of Cretaceous dinosaurs and mammals in the fossil-rich Lance Formation.  From the tiniest freshwater snails and salamanders to fully articulated dinosaur skeletons, the Lance Formation seems to have it all. 

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What to Expect:

 

The Triceratops Gulch Project is operated like an informal field school, where participants are introduced to project-based paleontological field work that supports current research projects. You’ll be working with museum crews as they explore fossil sites of the Upper Cretaceous Lance Formation of Wyoming. During the course of the program, you’ll learn basic geological concepts to put fossils into the context of time. You’ll learn how to prospect for new fossil sites and how to distinguish fossils from rocks. And maybe make a huge discovery of your own. Most importantly, you’ll be collecting fossils both large and small, from the tiniest dinosaur teeth to the massive bones of a Triceratops—all of which will help to better understand the life of Late Cretaceous Wyoming. Finally, you’ll learn mapping and important field jacketing techniques for the safe recovery of fossils bones.

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As a scientific venture, all the fossils you recover will be curated in the permanent collection of the Glenrock Paleon Museum.

 

The nature of fossil collection and excavation requires participants to be physically independent, with the ability to carry a backpack with a water bottle, and sit, kneel, crouch, and lay on the ground for extended periods of time in hot outdoor conditions. The activity will also include standing and walking for extended periods of time in primitive outdoor conditions. But, the true reality is, you will be unearthing fossils that human eyes have never seen. What a sense of discovery! And for those who are wondering, there is portable outhouse onsite, a true luxury not seen on most digs.

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The weather in Eastern Wyoming is very windy and very hot. There is no shade, so it’s important to wear clothing that will protect from the sun and wind. In the event of thunderstorms, we’ll work inside at the Museum’s lab to learn fossil preparation, molding and casting of fossil bones, general anatomy clinics and collections management. These are all topics that paleontologists receive as part of their training.

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Each day is packed full to take full advantage of time out in the field. The day starts at 8:00am for orientations, and to travel to the site. Fieldwork runs from about 9:30-4:30 with a break for lunch. In the manner of true paleontological field schools, you will also be invited to attend academic lectures about the geologic and fauna of the Cretaceous each evening.

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