Hanksville-Burpee Quarry is the name given a paleontological excavation site approximately 150 feet (46 m) wide by 600 feet (180 m) long near Hanksville, Utah, USA, where scientists have found a large mix of remains of sauropods, trees, freshwater clams and other species dating between 145 million years ago to 150 million years ago. The mixed assortment of remains deposited in this one location provide a unique opportunity to scientists to study the paleoecology of the area in the late Jurassic period.

In June 2008, following three weeks of excavation, paleontologists from the Burpee Museum of Natural History and Western Illinois University announced major discoveries made at the site, including a probable Stegosaurus, four sauropods and at least two carnivorous dinosaurs. The researchers expressed confidence that future excavations at the site would come to rival those produced from Dinosaur National Monument and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, two major sources of giant Jurassic reptile remains.

The site is located on federal land overseen by the United States Bureau of Land Management and is part of the Morrison Formation, which is a significant source for the largest known dinosaur remains. Paleogeographic evidence indicates that the Hanksville-Burpee Quarry area was situated at the bend of a large river during a time of sediment deposition. Researchers point to the large number of animal remains collected at the single location, and suggest the river bend acted as a trap for carcasses of large animals that died upriver and were carried downstream by high waters.

References

  • Stark, Mike (17 June 2008). "Utah announces 'major dinosaur fossil discovery'". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  • Gillette, David D. (1999). Vertebrate Paleontology in Utah. Utah Department of Natural Resources. ISBN 1-55791-634-9.
  • "Professor digs bones". Western Courier. 25 June 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  • "Major Jurassic-era dinosaur find in Utah". Red Deer Advocate, Alberta Local News. 15 July 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  • Handwerk, Brian (17 June 2008). ""Amazing" Dinosaur Trove Discovered in Utah". National Geographic News. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008.



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