Unearthing Hidden Dino Treasures: 66-Million-Year-Old Fossils Found in Remote Canadian Mountains
High up in the rugged terrains of northern British Columbia, scientists have struck gold—dinosaur fossils! This unexpected find in a secluded area might just flip our understanding of prehistoric life here. Experts are buzzing about dozens of well-preserved specimens dug up by palaeontologists, and it’s possible some may belong to entirely new species! As highlighted in an article by Discover Wild Science, these fossils also offer fascinating clues about how dinosaurs thrived in harsh high-altitude environments.
The Treasure Trove of Fossils
The Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park, sprawling across nearly 2,700 square miles in northern British Columbia, is among the largest and most untamed parks in Canada. Often called the Serengeti of the North, it’s bursting with wildlife in an untouched wilderness. Famous for its biodiversity, the park is home to mountain goats, grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and over 140 bird species. It’s a paradise for nature lovers! Recently, palaeontologists embarked on a ten-day expedition atop a remote mountain within this stunning park and unearthed more than 90 dinosaur fossils!
Among their finds were teeth linked to relatives of the mighty T. rex, Shrub-chanting herbivorous duck-bill dinosaurs, and even a small carnivorous dinosaur akin to the Velociraptor. This site is nothing short of a mother lode of fossils! exclaimed Victoria Arbour, palaeontology curator at the Royal BC Museum and leader of the team. What’s remarkable is that such well-preserved fossils aren’t typically found here. Arbour added, We can’t wait to uncover what species we’ve got. They might just be entirely new to science!
New Species on the Horizon?
The fossils date back an astonishing 66 to 68 million years, featuring an array of remains from various dinosaur species all found in the Sustut Basin, as documented by the Royal BC Museum. These discoveries comprise over 90 fossils, including teeth from a T. rex relative and parts from a large herbivore, including a small carnivore’s foot.
Up until now, the only known species from the Sustut Basin was the Ferrisaurus sustutensis, British Columbia’s first unique dinosaur, managed as part of the Royal BC Museum’s provincial palaeontology collection. The excavation site is positioned an impressive 2,000 miles high and is only accessible by helicopter! Previous expeditions faced their fair share of challenges, battling summer snowstorms and forest fires.
What Lies Ahead for the Research?
To grasp the full magnitude of this astonishing discovery, extensive analysis will necessary. A significant portion of the fossils will require delicate extraction from their surrounding hard rock by experts. Tracey Drake, CEO of the Royal BC Museum, expressed, This is indeed a remarkable find. It’s sure to enhance our understanding of the dinosaurs that once roamed British Columbia and highlights our team’s incredible dedication.
We’re excited to share their intriguing insights as the research unfolds, as this can unveil new pieces of our province’s history, underscoring the continuous importance of research in bringing our past to light. Over the coming years, researchers plan to study the fossils further in the PARC Campus, a specialized facility due to open in 2026 that will house the province’s collections and various research ventures.
