Albertosaurus and Edmontosaurus discovered in province’s capital Edmonton…
A sharp eyed City of Edmonton worker halted the construction of a sewage tunnel, when he spotted what he thought might be a dinosaur bone.
The city contacted Jack Brink, Curator of Archaeology at the Royal Alberta Museum, who brought Mike Burns, a Ph.D. student in palaeontology from the University of Alberta, to investigate the find. Burns determined that the bones, located in west Edmonton, are a very well-preserved tooth of a tyrannosaurid (likely Albertosaurus) and large limb bone elements possibly from the hadrosaur Edmontosaurus. Venturing 30-metres underground to the source, Burns and Brink discovered more dinosaur bones, including a vertebra and a femur.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum confirmed that the find is significant. “We will work with the U of A palaeontologists to ensure there is someone on site as the material is uncovered so the fossils are preserved without causing any project delays for the city.” says Andrew Neuman, Executive Director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. “The City of Edmonton should be commended for doing the right thing – this is a great example of how we can all work together to preserve Alberta’s heritage”.
The bones will be excavated over the next few days and then will be transported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum for further study.
Operated by the Government of Alberta, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is located six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838. For more information visit www.tyrrellmuseum.com or call 403-823-7707 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access in Alberta).