Montana is the place to be if you are interested in dinosaurs. The state has been home to many significant events relative to the study of the ancient beasts.
The first dinosaur remains
found in North America, were discovered in Montana near Judith Landing (along
the Missouri River) in 1854. The bones
were attributed to a duck-billed dinosaur called “Trachodon.”
In 1902, a paleontologist (with
the appropriate sounding name of Barnum Brown) unearthed the world’s first T.
rex in the Hell Creek area near Jordan, Montana.
In all, paleontologists have
discovered 75 different species of dinosaurs in Montana over the years of
fossil hunting. No other state can boast
such numbers.
Most Montana dinosaurs come
from the Cretaceous Period. This dates
them at something between 80-75 million years old.
I mention all of this because Desiree
and I are in Roundup, Montana, today. We
have been invited to participate in a private dinosaur dig not far from here. The dig is sponsored by Earth Science
Foundation Inc. Their mission statement
is as follows:
“Our purpose is to make the
world of Earth Sciences available to everyone. We work on cutting edge
research, collaborations with scientist, museums, and educational institutions,
and create opportunities for all people to participate in Earth Sciences. Our
key initiatives focus on research, public engagement, and increasing enrollment
in Earth sciences at universities to create our next generation of
geo-scientists as well as offering the opportunity to learn and explore the
earth sciences through our outreach programs.”
As a young boy, I would have given
anything for the opportunity to do what we will be doing today.
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