Regents' approval of fossil site expansion to provide more site excavation
Adam Ziegler
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Digging up fossils just got a lot easier.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the construction of a new $1.2 million excavation building for the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park in Antelope County. The building will allow paleontologists to begin new excavations at the park for the first time since 2001.
The Ashfall Fossil Beds Park is a paleontology site where people can view the fossilized bones of ancient rhinos and other animals that lived in Nebraska millions of years ago.
The animals at the fossil beds were killed 12 million years ago when a volcano in southern Idaho erupted and spread ash across hundreds of miles. Several feet of ash landed in Antelope County, suffocating the animals living there and burying their bodies under large drifts of ash.
The layer of ash protected the bodies as they decayed and left many of the animal's skeletons intact, a rare occurrence in paleontology.
"The fact that the fossils found here are fully intact and look like real animals makes a very graphic display," said Rick Otto, the superintendent of the Ashfall Fossil Beds.
The new building will replace the park's existing Rhino Barn, where the fossils are located. The building will be fully paid for by the Hubbard Family Foundation.
"This building is something we've wanted for many years," said Mark Harris, the associate director of the University of Nebraska State Museum.
The new building will measure 17,200 square feet and is scheduled for completion next summer. Since the fossils need to have a roof over them to prevent damage, the excavation building will be constructed around the Rhino Bar, which will be demolished during construction.
"It's essentially a super-size of the existing facility," Otto said.
Excavation at the fossil beds has been on hold since 2001, when paleontologists finished excavating everything under the barn. Paleontologists knew more fossils were buried in the ground around the Rhino Barn, but because the ground wasn't covered by an enclosure, they couldn't begin excavating them.
"It was extremely frustrating to every day walk down to the Rhino Barn and walk over what you know for certain are hundreds of finds," Harris said.
Harris said the building will also be over a slope, which allows paleontologists to excavate older fossils.
"As you cover a slope, you change eras and go further back in time," Harris said.
He said the new facility and excavation opportunities will make UNL an attractive destination for paleontology students, who frequently work at the fossil beds.
"They can come to a one-of-a-kind excavation," Harris said.
Harris said paleontologists are excited to have the opportunity to excavate the new land and are eager to get started.
"This is the biggest Christmas present these paleontologists could get," Harris said.
adamziegler@dailynebraskan.com
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the construction of a new $1.2 million excavation building for the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park in Antelope County. The building will allow paleontologists to begin new excavations at the park for the first time since 2001.
The Ashfall Fossil Beds Park is a paleontology site where people can view the fossilized bones of ancient rhinos and other animals that lived in Nebraska millions of years ago.
The animals at the fossil beds were killed 12 million years ago when a volcano in southern Idaho erupted and spread ash across hundreds of miles. Several feet of ash landed in Antelope County, suffocating the animals living there and burying their bodies under large drifts of ash.
The layer of ash protected the bodies as they decayed and left many of the animal's skeletons intact, a rare occurrence in paleontology.
"The fact that the fossils found here are fully intact and look like real animals makes a very graphic display," said Rick Otto, the superintendent of the Ashfall Fossil Beds.
The new building will replace the park's existing Rhino Barn, where the fossils are located. The building will be fully paid for by the Hubbard Family Foundation.
"This building is something we've wanted for many years," said Mark Harris, the associate director of the University of Nebraska State Museum.
The new building will measure 17,200 square feet and is scheduled for completion next summer. Since the fossils need to have a roof over them to prevent damage, the excavation building will be constructed around the Rhino Bar, which will be demolished during construction.
"It's essentially a super-size of the existing facility," Otto said.
Excavation at the fossil beds has been on hold since 2001, when paleontologists finished excavating everything under the barn. Paleontologists knew more fossils were buried in the ground around the Rhino Barn, but because the ground wasn't covered by an enclosure, they couldn't begin excavating them.
"It was extremely frustrating to every day walk down to the Rhino Barn and walk over what you know for certain are hundreds of finds," Harris said.
Harris said the building will also be over a slope, which allows paleontologists to excavate older fossils.
"As you cover a slope, you change eras and go further back in time," Harris said.
He said the new facility and excavation opportunities will make UNL an attractive destination for paleontology students, who frequently work at the fossil beds.
"They can come to a one-of-a-kind excavation," Harris said.
Harris said paleontologists are excited to have the opportunity to excavate the new land and are eager to get started.
"This is the biggest Christmas present these paleontologists could get," Harris said.
adamziegler@dailynebraskan.com
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