The Fossil Dig Pit is part of the new Discovery Zone at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Our responsibility was to create 24 fossil that looked as though they were in-situ (still encased in matrix) and in the process of being excavated. The concept of this exhibit was to use locally discovered specimens from the Kaiparowits Formation in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Escalante National Park, Utah. This included specimens Kosmoceratops, Teratophoneus, and Parasaurolophus. Since most of these specimens have been fully prepped already we had to sculpt them back to appear as though they were in-situ, including reintroducing some distortion into some of the specimens. Then molds were made and casts were done in polyester. The plastic was colored throughout in multiple colors which created base colors for the fossils and the matrix in order to extend the exhibit life of the casts. There are three main pits: two larger pits and one handicapped accessible. There is also a cave with exposed fossils and smaller exposed fossils throughout the surrounding walls and floors.
Entrance to Dig Pit area
Installation of casts, securing them to the floor, Specimens, Teratophoneus skull, Kosmocerstops skull, hind foot and femur and Parasuarolophus skull.
Kosmoceratops, final touch ups.
Kosmoceratops with fill partially covering it.
Lower Dig Pit, view from upper dig pit. Ready to add fill material
Visitors in lower Dig Pit
Even big "kids" enjoy the Dig Pit.
Handicapped accessible dig pit. Specimens, Allosaur hand, Triceratops horn, and Teratophoneus maxilla.
Handicapped accessible dig pit ready for visitors.
Upper Dig Pit, Ready for fill material. Specimens: Parasaurolophus vertebrae and foot, Juvenile Kosmoceratops skull, and Teratophoneus jaw.
Visitors in Upper Dig Pit
Juvenile Parasaurolophus exposed in wall, Adult Parasaurolophus skull partially exposed in floor.
