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The Bighorn Basin contains
extensively documented fossil-bearing deposits that date from 550 million
years ago (Cambrian Period) to the present. These include world famous
outcrops that contain dinosaur bones and tracksites, ancient marine reptiles,
and primitive mammal fossils. These deposits are located on privately held
land as well as on public land, both state and federal. Professional
scientists, including world famous geologists and paleontologists have conducted scientific research in this area
for over 100 years. Some of the more important sites in the Bighorn Basin are
described below.
(click on images
to enlarge)
Howe Dinosaur Quarry
 The
world-famous Howe Dinosaur Quarry near Shell, Wyoming is situated in one of
the most extensive Jurassic dinosaur bone beds known in North America.
Kirby Siber
has been collecting dinosaurs at the Howe Quarry since 1990. Seven of his
finest original Howe-Stephens Quarry dinosaur skeletons are being displayed
at expositions throughout the world. Click on Howe Dinosaur Quarry for a review of the rich history of the
Howe Quarry, and more information about the reopening of the Howe Quarry by
dinosaur hunter Kirby Siber.
Red Canyon Ranch Dinosaur Quarry
 Paleontologist Bob Simon, working at
the Red Canyon Ranch near Shell, Wyoming collected a virtually complete
articulated Stegosaurus skeleton
in 2004, with the assistance of dinosaur hunter Kirby Siber and his crew.
Named “Sarah” after the daughter of the owners of Red Canyon Ranch, the first
public display of the skeleton reconstruction of Sarah was at the Tucson Gem,
Mineral and Fossil Show in February, 2008 (see image above).
 In 2007, Bob again struck paydirt,
uncovering a virtually complete articulated Camarasaurus, which has now been excavated (see image) and
discussions are underway to find a suitable home for the specimen.
The Red Canyon Ranch Dinosaur Quarry is
situated on private land near Shell.
Dinosaur Tracksites
 Located just west of Shell, Wyoming,
along the Red Gulch/Alkali Scenic
Backroad Byway, is one of the largest collections of rare, middle
Jurassic age dinosaur tracks in the world. These rare tracks were discovered
by members of our GeoScience Adventures Team. Click on Tracksites to learn more about the discovery and
development of the Red Gulch Dinosaur
Tracksite and other dinosaur tracksites in the Bighorn Basin.
National Museum of Natural History
 Paleontologists from the Smithsonian
Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, led by Dr. Michael
Brett-Surman, collected marine reptile specimens from this site, which was
discovered in 1995 by Row Manuel. A reproduction of one of the
Ichthyosaur specimens, “Ikky”, is currently on display in the postal office
lobby at Shell, Wyoming.
Click on ichthyosaur for enlarged image.
Virginia Museum of Natural History
 Dr. Nicholas C. Fraser, Director of Research and
Collections and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Virginia Museum of
Natural History, Martinsville, has led a team of paleontologists and
volunteers in the excavation of dinosaur specimens
near Shell, Wyoming since 1999. Find out more about Dr. Fraser’s Wyoming expeditions,
and how you may volunteer for an expedition, at the museum’s website
VMNH
Other Major Wyoming Fossil Sites of Interest
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
The Wyoming
Dinosaur Center, in nearby Thermopolis, Wyoming, has over 12,000 square feet of
exhibition area and “dig-for-a-day” programs. There are over 200 interpretive
displays, dioramas and life-size dinosaur mounts throughout the museum,
including approximately 20 full-size mounted skeletons - 10 of which are dinosaurs.
Fossils and life-forms from earliest geologic time periods are displayed in a
time-perspective. See their website at Wyodino
for additional
information.
Warfield Fossils
 The “Green
River Formation” is famous for its abundance of fossil fish. These beautifully preserved Eocene Age
(40-60 million years old) fossils are on display at the Fossil Butte
National Monument near Kemmerer, Wyoming. Rick and Tanya of Warfield Fossils invite you to participate in a fossil
safari where you can dig and collect your own fossil fish in their private
quarry near Thayne, Wyoming. See their website at FossilSafari.com for
additional information.
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Modified: 4-2-2008
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