When you return to school after the holidays and exchange stories of your summer adventures, you rarely get to say that you found a rare fossil of a teenage T-Rex. But in the case of these three boys, it’s precisely what they could do!
They went on a hike in the Badlands in North Dakota, an area famous for its fossils, equipped with shovels but not very high expectations. Still, they left having discovered and witnessed a real T-Rex fossil.
A Summer Hike Leads to an Extraordinary Find
In July 2022, a summer hike in the Badlands of North Dakota turned into an extraordinary adventure for three young boys. Brothers Liam and Jessin Fisher, along with their cousin Kaiden Madsen, made a once-in-a-lifetime discovery: the fossilized remains of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex.
How amazing it must have been to get the question “what did you do over the summer” and to be able to answer “I found a T-Rex fossil.”
Where In North Dakota Did They Find It?
The fossil was found in the Badlands near Marmarth, North Dakota, a region well-known for its rich fossil deposits. This area, particularly the Hell Creek Formation, is a hotspot for paleontologists due to the abundance of dinosaur fossils, including those of the T. rex.
Why This Was an Especially Rare Find
Juvenile T. rex fossils are incredibly rare, with only a handful ever found. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science confirmed that this particular fossil belonged to a T. rex that was likely between 12 and 14 years old when it died, making it a significant scientific discovery.
How the Fossil Was Discovered
The discovery happened when the boys, equipped with shovels, were exploring the area during their hike. Although they knew that the area has a famously large amount of fossils, they never could’ve imagined to make such an amazing find.
They stumbled upon what looked like a large bone protruding from the ground. Intrigued, they began to dig further, eventually revealing part of a dinosaur leg, later identified as belonging to a T. rex.
Paleontologist Tyler Lyson Gets Involved
Unsure of what they had found, the boys’ father, Sam Fisher, contacted Tyler Lyson, a paleontologist and an old high school friend. Lyson, who works at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, was instrumental in confirming the significance of the find and leading the subsequent excavation.
Excavation of the Fossil
In the summer of 2023, a year after the initial discovery the T-Rex was excavated by Lyson and his team. Of course they also took help from the three boys who initially had made this impressive discovery.
The excavation revealed more bones, including the jaw with teeth, confirming that they had indeed found a young T. rex.
The Size and Weight of the Teenage T. Rex
The fossilized tibia of the juvenile T. rex measured approximately 32 inches long, indicating that the dinosaur was about 25 feet in length and stood 10 feet tall. It is estimated to have weighed around 3,500 pounds at the time of its death, significantly smaller than an adult T. rex.
The Fossils Go For a Helicopter Ride to Denver
The entire fossil, encased in rock and plaster, weighed around 6,000 pounds. A helicopter was used to lift the fossil from the site, transporting it to a trailer that then carried it to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where it would be studied and eventually displayed.
Scientific Importance of the Find
This rare discovery provides valuable insights into the growth and development of the T. rex.
Studying the bones of this juvenile specimen will help scientists better understand the transition from adolescence to adulthood in one of the most famous dinosaur species.
Preparing the Fossil for Display
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has been working on preparing the fossil for display. Visitors to the museum can watch as scientists carefully remove more of the surrounding rock and dirt to reveal additional bones, offering a unique glimpse into the process of fossil preparation.
The Boys’ Continued Interest in Paleontology
The young discoverers, particularly Jessin Fisher, have expressed a continued interest in paleontology. Jessin has stated that he hopes to pursue a career in the field, inspired by his incredible experience of finding a rare T-Rex fossil at such a young age.
The Fossil Goes on Display in Denver
Starting June 21, 2024, the juvenile T. rex fossil will be on display at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in a special exhibit titled “Discovering Teen Rex.” The exhibit will also feature a documentary that tells the story of how the boys made their remarkable discovery.
Encouragement for Future Explorers
Jessin Fisher encourages other children to put down their electronics and explore the outdoors. He believes that anyone can make a significant discovery by simply embracing their curiosity and love for adventure, just as he and his brother did on that fateful summer day in North Dakota.
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