Construction workers at Dinosaur National Monument made a remarkable discovery when they unearthed fossils believed to belong to the Diplodocus during a routine parking lot project.
In a surprising turn of events at Dinosaur National Monument, construction workers uncovered dinosaur fossils while working on a parking lot project. This significant find marks the first time fossils have been discovered at the site in over a century.
The discovery occurred in mid-September when workers removed asphalt near the Quarry Exhibit Hall, revealing dinosaur-bearing sandstone. The National Park Service reported that park staff identified the remains on September 16, prompting an immediate halt to construction to allow paleontologists to evaluate the fossils.
Experts believe the fossils belong to a large, long-necked dinosaur known as the Diplodocus, a species commonly found in the area’s historic bonebed. Park officials noted that the excavation involved collaboration among park staff, a Utah Conservation Corps crew, volunteers, and construction workers.
Between mid-September and mid-October, crews successfully removed approximately 3,000 pounds of fossils and surrounding rock. The extracted material is currently being cleaned and studied at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal. Visitors to the museum can observe the preparation process in the facility’s fossil lab.
This site had not seen excavation efforts since 1924, when fossil removal ceased following a series of early 20th-century digs conducted by prominent institutions, including the Carnegie Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the University of Utah. Dinosaur National Monument itself was established in 1915.
Some of the newly uncovered fossils are already on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, often referred to as the “Wall of Bones.” Additional specimens are showcased at the Utah Field House museum. The Quarry Exhibit Hall is the park’s most popular attraction, built atop the original Carnegie quarry, where visitors can view approximately 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in rock.
Following the excavation, crews completed the parking lot and road improvement project, which included new concrete and asphalt work, as well as accessibility upgrades around the exhibit hall. This enhancement aims to improve visitor experience while preserving the rich paleontological history of the area.
The discovery of these fossils not only adds to the scientific understanding of the region’s prehistoric life but also enhances the educational opportunities available to visitors at Dinosaur National Monument.
According to National Park Service, this remarkable find underscores the importance of ongoing research and preservation efforts in national parks.