Rare Dinosaur Fossils Found in Laurel

Rare Dinosaur Fossils Discovered at Dinosaur Park in Laurel

Rare dinosaur fossils discovered at Dinosaur Park in Laurel. First bone bed discovered in Maryland since 1887.

Photo Credit: M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Dinosaur Park

July 17, 2023

1–2 minutes

Rare dinosaur fossils were recently discovered by the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation during a dig experience program at the Dinosaur Park in Laurel, Maryland.

The discovery took place on April 22, 2023, when Prince George’s County paleontologist and volunteers discovered the largest theropod fossil in Eastern North America. Additional fossils were also found nearby that elevated the Dinosaur Park’s classification to a “bonebed”, a term used to refer to an area where bones of one or more species are concentrated within a geologic layer.

According to the press release, this is the first dinosaur bone bed discovered in Maryland since 1887.

“Finding a bonebed like this is a dream for many paleontologists as they can offer a wealth of information on the ancient environments that preserved the fossils and provide more details on the extinct animals that previously may have only been known from a handful of specimens,” said JP Hodnett, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Dinosaur Park Paleontologist and Program Coordinator. “Most paleontologists have to travel across the country or go overseas to find something like this, so having this rare find so close to home is fantastic!”

The Dinosaur Park located in Laurel, Maryland is a property of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County provides a variety of educational experiences where the public can assist Dinosaur Park staff and be paleontologists for a day. Fossils found at the park are 115 million years old (Early Cretaceous period), occurring approximately 50 million years before the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The area represents what remains of an Early Cretaceous period river and wetlands, similar in environment to the Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland today.

The fossils found will be excavated out of the field, cleaned, examined, and cataloged into the Department’s museum system.

To learn more about Dinosaur Park and its programs visit pgparks.com.