Buried beneath the sun-baked rock of Big Bend National Park, a monumental secret lay hidden for millions of years—until a team of geology students from Sul Ross State University (SRSU) unearthed it during a routine expedition. Led by professors Dr. Jesse Kelsch and Dr. Thomas Schiller, the group recently uncovered the rare bones of an Alamosaurus, a long-necked dinosaur that roamed North America during the Cretaceous period.
The discovery occurred in March while the students were examining rock layers and geological formations dating from the Cretaceous to the Eocene periods. The fossilized vertebra, part of an Alamosaurus skeleton, is part of the largest known land-dwelling animal to ever roam North America, and its unearthing adds to Big Bend’s growing legacy as a dinosaur hotspot.
Alamosaurus: A Colossal Dinosaur from the Past
The Alamosaurus, a giant sauropod dinosaur, was the largest terrestrial animal in North America during the late Cretaceous. These long-necked creatures could grow up to 80 feet long and likely weighed up to 20 tons. The fossil discovered in Big Bend National Park is a significant addition to previous findings in the area, which have included fragments of Alamosaurus bones. However, as the latest find is more complete and better preserved than earlier fragments, it could represent one of the most complete skeletons of the dinosaur species from the region.
While Alamosaurus remains have been found before at Big Bend, these specimens were often fragmentary and poorly preserved, according to the SRSU team. The current find is being meticulously studied at the SRSU paleontology lab, where students and researchers are working to piece together additional vertebrae previously collected from the same quarry.
Big Bend: A Hub for Dinosaur Discoveries
Big Bend National Park has long been recognized as an important dinosaur fossil site in the United States. In addition to Alamosaurus, the park has yielded remarkable prehistoric discoveries, including the bones of a giant pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever known, with an impressive 36-foot wingspan. Researchers have also found the massive skull of the Bravoceratops, a giant horned dinosaur, which is only known from Big Bend.
These finds not only offer insights into the dinosaurs that once inhabited the region but also shed light on the diverse prehistoric ecosystem that existed in North America during the Cretaceous. Dr. Kelsch and Dr. Schiller have emphasized the importance of these discoveries in understanding ancient ecosystems and the creatures that roamed them.
Big Bend’s Recent Surge in Ancient Discoveries
This Alamosaurus discovery is just one of several significant finds from the Big Bend region in recent months. In March, a hunter discovered a massive mammoth tusk on the O2 Ranch, further showcasing the area’s importance as a rich archaeological site. Additionally, archaeologists recently uncovered what could be the oldest intact full weapon system in North America, found hidden within a remote cave system south of Marfa, which may be linked to early human populations in the area.
The continued discovery of prehistoric relics is increasing the profile of Big Bend National Park as a site of extraordinary historical and scientific importance, attracting researchers and enthusiasts from around the world.
