When did the excavation take place and how much material was removed?

Excavation occurred between mid-September and mid-October 2025, with crews removing roughly 3,000 pounds of fossils and surrounding rock.

Where is the excavated material being studied and displayed?

The material is being cleaned and studied at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, with some fossils already on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the museum.

Why was this the first excavation at the site in over 100 years?

It marks the first excavation at Dinosaur National Monument since 1924, prompted by the unexpected exposure of dinosaur-bearing sandstone during parking lot construction near the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

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1M ago

Dinosaur fossils found during parking lot construction at Dinosaur National Monument

Workers removing asphalt near the Quarry Exhibit Hall in September exposed dinosaur-bearing sandstone, prompting the park's first excavation in over 100 years; about 3,000 pounds of material was removed for study.

Overview

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While building a parking lot near the Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument, workers uncovered dinosaur fossils when asphalt removal exposed fossil-bearing sandstone.

Park staff paused construction on Sept. 16 to allow paleontologists and crews to excavate the remains, marking the first excavation at the site since 1924.

The fossils likely belong to a large, long-necked dinosaur such as Diplodocus, commonly found in the site's historic bonebed.

Crews removed roughly 3,000 pounds of fossils and surrounding rock between mid-September and mid-October; material is being cleaned and studied at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum.

After excavation, the parking lot and road improvements were completed; some fossils are already on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the Utah Field House museum.

Written using shared reports from

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources present the discovery neutrally, emphasizing factual detail and official statements rather than sensational language. They foreground NPS statements (e.g., 'large, long-necked dinosaur'), excavation logistics, and historical context (1924, previous Denver find). Quotes are clearly source content; editorial choices favor straightforward chronology and concrete specifics over evaluative framing.

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New fossils uncovered at Dinosaur National Monument, leading to first excavation there in a century

CBS News•1M ago

Dinosaur fossils unearthed during parking lot construction at national park

FOX News•1M ago

Fossil Discovery Sparks First Dino Dig at Monument in 100 Years

Daily Beast•1M ago

FAQ

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: The fossils likely belong to a large, long-necked dinosaur such as Diplodocus, commonly found in the site's historic bonebed.
Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
: Excavation occurred between mid-September and mid-October 2025, with crews removing roughly 3,000 pounds of fossils and surrounding rock.
Sources:
Steamboat Radio
: The material is being cleaned and studied at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, with some fossils already on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the museum.
Sources:
Lonely Planet
: It marks the first excavation at Dinosaur National Monument since 1924, prompted by the unexpected exposure of dinosaur-bearing sandstone during parking lot construction near the Quarry Exhibit Hall.
Sources:
U.S. National Park Service

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