DINOSAUR, Colo. (KRDO) – What began as routine construction work at Dinosaur National Monument turned into a remarkable discovery when crews uncovered dinosaur fossils beneath a parking lot near one of the park’s most visited areas.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), the fossils were discovered in September during construction near the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Officials say it marks the first time dinosaur fossils have been excavated from that specific area in more than 100 years, underscoring the site’s continuing scientific significance.
The discovery was made after crews removed layers of asphalt, exposing sandstone that showed clear fossilized remains. Once the fossils were identified, construction work was immediately halted to allow paleontologists to carefully study and excavate the site. Park staff worked alongside on-site construction crews to safely remove the fossils without damaging the surrounding area.
“The fossils belong to a large, long-necked dinosaur, most likely Diplodocus, which is common in this bonebed,” the National Park Service said. “This location had not been excavated for fossils since the original excavations at the site ended in 1924.”
Between mid-September and mid-October, approximately 3,000 pounds of fossil material and surrounding rock were extracted from the site, according to NPS. The remains are now undergoing cleaning and analysis to help scientists better understand the dinosaur species and the conditions in which it lived.
The fossils are currently housed at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, Utah. The National Park Service said members of the public can observe the preparation process firsthand by visiting the museum’s fossil preparation lab.
Other fossils recovered during the excavation are already on display at both the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the Utah Field House, allowing visitors to see pieces of the newly uncovered prehistoric history.
The Quarry Exhibit Hall remains the most popular attraction within Dinosaur National Monument. According to NPS, the structure sits directly atop a preserved section of the historic Carnegie dinosaur quarry, where visitors can view roughly 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in rock—an experience that continues to draw visitors from around the world.
Park officials say the unexpected discovery highlights how much remains buried beneath the monument and reinforces the importance of careful monitoring during construction projects in historically significant areas.
Originally reported by Sadie Buggle in KRDO.
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