Have you ever had the opportunity to dig for dinosaur fossils? Not just idly poking at the ground in hopes of finding truly amazing, but actually going on a dig with trained and degreed paleontologists to a site known to have produced a myriad of fossil specimens, some groundbreaking in their importance. We thought that opportunity was on our horizon as we approached the nearly dead little hamlet of Bynum, Montana. When we arrived, though, much to our dismay, the sign out front said
CLOSED. Maybe next time.
Inside the museum they purport to have the
World's Largest Dinosaur, at least according to the sign on the building. That's not entirely true, though, as the World's Largest Dinosaur is actually in
Drumheller, Alberta. What the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center has instead is the
World's Largest Dinosaur Skeleton.
Also on display are the first baby dinosaur bones to be found in North America, specimens of new species of several types of dinosaurs and various other related displays. The center is actually a working research centre as well, employing degreed paleontological staff. The center offers a range of programs, including various school programs, allowing the public and students to work shoulder to shoulder in the field with the paleontological staff uncovering and preserving 65 to 150 million year old fossil treasures.
Short Dig Programs
Our short programs, which range from half a day to three days, are a great opportunity to get your future paleontologist's feet wet. All these programs build off one another, so the longer you stay the more you learn!
Long Programs
We are still working out the kinks, but we have had so many people asking about our 5-day programs that we've decided to let you all know what we're planning (if everything works out...some details may change).
We have two dinosaurs that we need to collect this summer up north near the Canadian border in the Judith River Formation, home to dinosaurs like Leonardo the Brachylophosaurus and Medusaceratops.
We are hoping to camp onsite, or at least nearby. There's no running water at any of our potential camp sites, so that's something to think about. We will have tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, and cots available for anyone who needs a set and we will be providing all the meals while you're out with us: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners, plus snacks!
Due to the size and nature of the dig sites, we are limiting total group size to 6 people per week and you must be 13 or older.
From the Dinosaur Center
Dino research center goes up in Bynum
October 20, 1999 | Choteau Acantha
Construction continues this month on the New Timescale Adventures Research Center in Bynum. Workers with Allsteel Building Co. of Great Falls last week put steel girders up and the exterior of the 60 foot by 60 foot steel building is slated to be finished by the end of this month. Finish work on the interior will continue through the winter and spring, according to Timescale paleontologist Dave Trexler of Choteau.
Trexler, who along with his wife, fossil preparator Laurie Trexler, operate the nonprofit Timescale Ad ventures business, said the new building will house repository-quality fossil storage and collection management facilities, a large fossil preparation' area, classrooms, offices and a gift shop.
He said Timescale Adventures is planning to make the classroom area available for community functions as well.
The building will be constructed mainly of steel and concrete with as little wood as possible to minimize the risk that fumes from wood would damage the fossil collection and to cut back the risk of fire...
...The paleontologist said 2000 will likely be a busy year for Timescale Adventures as advance bookings of classes are brisk and the staff is looking forward to working with Russ Jacobsen, a geologist with Illinois State University, who will be doing field research here next summer.
From the Choteau Acantha