Dinosaur National Monument finds first new fossils since 1924

Park staff identified new dinosaur fossils near the Quarry Exhibit Hall on Sept. 16, and excavations completed between September and October removed nearly 3,000 pounds of rock and fossil material.

Park staff identified new fossils on Sept. 16 during parking lot construction near the Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah, the National Park Service announced. The site is home to the Wall of Bones, which displays about 1,500 dinosaur fossils encased in rock. The newly found bones likely belong to a large, long‑necked dinosaur, possibly a Diplodocus, according to the announcement. Excavations completed between September and October removed nearly 3,000 pounds of fossil and rock material, and remains are available for viewing at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and at the preparation lab at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal. What is known: - Park staff identified the fossils on Sept. 16 during parking lot construction near the Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah. - The Quarry Exhibit Hall is the location of the "Wall of Bones," which displays about 1,500 dinosaur fossils. - The bones likely belong to a large, long‑necked dinosaur, possibly Diplodocus, as reported by the National Park Service. - Excavations carried out between September and October removed nearly 3,000 pounds of fossil and rock material. - Excavated remains can be seen at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and at the preparation lab at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal. Summary: The discovery highlights that even well‑studied prehistoric sites can still yield new specimens. Undetermined at this time.