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Pipestone Creek Yields Over 8,000 Fossils in Ongoing Dinosaur Excavation

Researchers in Alberta are investigating a catastrophic flood that preserved a Pachyrhinosaurus herd 72 million years ago, offering new insights into herd dynamics and paleoecology.

Various dinosaur models and fossils are displayed at the Royal Ontario Museum  in Toronto, Canada, on April 13, 2023.
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Overview

  • The Pipestone Creek bonebed in northern Alberta contains one of North America's densest fossil concentrations, with 100 to 300 bones per square meter across a square kilometer.
  • Over 8,000 Pachyrhinosaurus fossils have been excavated so far, all belonging to a single species of horned dinosaur that roamed in massive herds.
  • Scientists believe a catastrophic flooding event wiped out the herd, supported by evidence of sediment swirls from fast-moving water at the site.
  • The site provides a rare opportunity to study intraspecific variation, with researchers documenting unique frill and nasal boss differences among individuals.
  • Evidence suggests scavenging by theropods like Albertosaurus occurred after the flood, adding to the understanding of ecological interactions at the time.