Look at Photos From Dolly Dakota’s Dinosaur Dig

I went on a dinosaur dig southwest of Dickinson which was part of the 8 Stops on the ND Dinosaur Tour put on by the ND Geological Survey.

It was so much fun.  At first I was not sure what I was looking for, then Jeff Person, a paleontologist with the ND Geological Survey, showed me the difference between bone fragment/teeth and rocks.

I was armed with an awl, brush, baggies, vials, gloves, and other small tools. I found some bone fragments, an incisor from a small mammal and other bits. Then I dug up what looked like a softball shaped rock. I called Jeff over and, to my surprise, he told me it was the shoulder of a rhino-something something, (can't remember what the name was). We wrapped it so we could transport it back to the Historical Society in Bismarck.

Later, up the rock a bit from where I found the shoulder I found a vertebrae...from that same rhino. Woo Hoo! The place was marked for future digging to hopefully find more of the animal.

I also helped plaster a turtle head and jaw to transport back to Bismarck.

The following digs are coming up:

• Medora, July 15-17
• Pembina Gorge, Aug. 10-12

The cost is $10 per person or $25 per family, although the Pembina dig is a bit more expensive. Lodging, meals, transportation are your responsibility. Participants must be 12 years or older and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

I was dirty, covered in plaster, tired, sweaty and sunburned, but I had a blast and want to do it again. Click here for more information!