Paleontologists at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science recently made an exciting discovery, unearthing a dinosaur bone beneath the museum’s parking lot. This unexpected find sheds light on the prehistoric ecosystem of Denver more than 67 million years ago.
- Dinosaur bone found beneath museum parking lot
- Fossil dates back over 67 million years
- First ornithopod discovered in Denver area
- Fossil discovery aids understanding of Cretaceous ecosystem
- Core sample analysis continues for more fossils
- Urban areas may hide untapped fossil sites
The fossil, a vertebra from a plant-eating dinosaur, was discovered during a drilling project intended to assess geological layers. On July 9, 2025-07-17 21:23:00, the museum announced the significance of this rare find, marking it as the oldest and deepest fossil ever found in the Denver area.
This discovery raises intriguing questions about the distribution of dinosaur fossils in urban areas. How many more fossils lie beneath our cities, waiting to be discovered? This find encourages scientists to explore urban geology further, revealing the potential for more significant discoveries.
- The vertebra belongs to an ornithopod, a group of herbivorous dinosaurs.
- This is the first ornithopod found within Denver’s city limits.
- Only two other instances of dinosaur bones found in core samples exist globally.
As researchers continue to analyze the extracted rock core, the potential for further discoveries remains high. This exciting find not only enriches our understanding of Denver’s geological history but also inspires future explorations in urban paleontology.
