Edmontosaurus Dinosaur
Putting a dinosaur back together is a community effort.
The Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering houses the fossilized remains of an Edmontosaurus dinosaur. Arriving on campus in October of 2023, Marvin (as he's affectionately called by the students who helped discover him) came to campus encased in layers of burlap and plaster. The specimen holds approximately 25 bones which is a substantial amount compared to most fossil discoveries.
It is estimated that it will take until the winter of 2026 to completely reveal the fossils and assemble them. The labor is provided by volunteers including faculty, students, staff and community members who work in the Wilson M. Laird Core and Sample Library on the campus of UND. Anyone can register for a Fossil Prep Session and is encouraged to join the fun!
Discovery
The Edmontosaurus specimen weighs about 4,400 pounds and was discovered by a team lead by Dr. Paul Ullmann, Assistant Professor in the Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering. The specimen was found in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana and is estimated to be 67 million years old. The Hell Creek Formation is a notable geological site originating from the end of the Cretaceous period. This formation spans portions of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. It is particularly significant due to the prevalence of fossils found there, representing the conclusion of the Age of Dinosaurs.
About Edmontosaurus
The Edmontosaurus, a prominent hadrosaurid (duck-billed dinosaur), was a large, herbivorous inhabitant of North America. It was distinguished by a broad, flat, duck-like beak, which was adapted for shearing and stripping vegetation. The Edmontosaurus possessed multiple rows of specialized grinding teeth in the back of its powerful jaws, which were continuously replaced to process its diet of tough plant material, including conifer needles, twigs, seeds, low-lying ferns, cycads and bark. Their size was considerable reaching lengths of up to 42 feet and weighing several tons. It could move using either two legs or four legs, depending on the situation. Edmontosaurus coexisted with Tyrannosaurus rex.
