Construction workers at Dinosaur National Monument made a remarkable discovery when they unearthed fossils believed to belong to the Diplodocus during a parking lot renovation.
In a surprising turn of events, a routine parking lot construction project at Dinosaur National Monument has led to the discovery of dinosaur fossils for the first time in over a century. The remarkable find occurred in mid-September when workers removed asphalt near the Quarry Exhibit Hall, revealing dinosaur-bearing sandstone, as reported by the National Park Service.
On September 16, park staff identified the remains and promptly halted construction to allow paleontologists to evaluate the significant discovery. The fossils are believed to belong to the Diplodocus, a large, long-necked dinosaur commonly found in the area’s historic bonebed.
Park officials noted that the excavation efforts involved a collaborative effort among staff members, a Utah Conservation Corps crew, volunteers, and construction workers. Between mid-September and mid-October, crews successfully removed approximately 3,000 pounds of fossils along with surrounding rock. This material is currently being cleaned and studied at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, where visitors have the opportunity to observe the preparation process in the museum’s fossil lab.
The site had not been excavated since 1924, when fossil removal efforts ceased following a series of early 20th-century digs led by prestigious institutions such as the Carnegie Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the University of Utah. Dinosaur National Monument itself was established in 1915, making this recent discovery particularly significant.
Some of the newly uncovered fossils are already on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, often referred to as the “Wall of Bones,” as well as at the Utah Field House museum. The exhibit hall is the park’s most popular attraction, situated atop the original Carnegie quarry, where visitors can view approximately 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in rock.
Following the excavation, crews were able to complete the parking lot and road improvement project, which included new concrete and asphalt work along with accessibility upgrades around the exhibit hall. This renovation not only enhances the visitor experience but also preserves the site’s rich paleontological heritage.
According to the National Park Service, this discovery underscores the ongoing importance of paleontological research and conservation efforts in national parks.