North Dakota Geological Survey makes history in 2017 with T-Rex teeth discoveries
BISMARCK- The North Dakota Geological Survey through the Paleontology program made history – not once, but three times – during a public fossil dig south of Bismarck, Thursday, August 17th.
History was first made when a dig participant found the largest, intact tooth from a Tyrannosaurus rex (figure1) ever discovered during their public fossil digs. Previously discovered T. rex teeth in the State Fossil Collection were found in fragments that needed to be pieced back together by paleontologist Becky Barnes. The new tooth is about two and a half inches long and nearly perfect.
Record setting T-Rex tooth discovered summer 2017. Photo: NDGS
“I was speechless when this tooth was discovered,” said senior paleontologist Clint Boyd. “I waved Becky over to see what I was seeing. It was really exciting.”
But records are made to be broken. Within less than an hour and only a few feet from where the first tooth was discovered, a second, much larger, intact tooth from a Tyrannosaurus rex was discovered. (figure2). This second tooth is about four and a half inches long, dwarfing any other tooth in the State Fossil Collection.
“The excitement quickly shifted when this second tooth showed up, everyone gathered to see it,” explains Becky Barnes. “We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. I couldn’t wait to get this tooth out of the ground to see the full extent of what we were dealing with. It was quite remarkable. At first we thought it was split lengthwise, but when fully uncovered, it was much larger.”
Second T-Rex tooth shatters record just set in Aug. 2017. Photo: NDGS
These teeth were the ninth and tenth ones recovered from this dig site in the last three years. The fact that these teeth are broken off at the root indicates they were lost while T. rex was feeding on the remains of other dinosaurs found at the site. Whenever T. rex lost a tooth, a replacement tooth was present in the jaw that took its place.
Casts of these teeth will be on display in the Geologic Time Gallery at the Heritage Center within the coming weeks.
To make matters even more exciting on the fifth and final public dig of the summer, all of these events unfolded in front of a news crew from NBC’s The Today Show, another first for the public digs. The Today Show visit focused on field work and a first-hand look at the paleo lab where fossils are prepared for exhibit. The crew received tours of the State Fossil Collection, as well as displays in the Geologic Time Gallery at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum.
This summer’s public fossil digs have been featured in The New York Times, The Minneapolis Star Tribune and now will be featured on The Today Show, currently scheduled to air on Saturday, August 26th. This coverage is in addition to the outstanding reporting by news outlets across the state.
“The attention the digs have received this summer has been unbelievable,” says paleontologist Jeff Person. “The far reaching effects of national coverage have us really excited for our public digs next summer to see who will join us.”
Dig sites for next year are already announced, with official dates coming later this year. To view the dig sites and to be placed on a wait list visit the website. https://www.dmr.nd.gov/ndfossil/digs/
