Fellowship of Freethought Dallas

Dinosaur Dig

April 20 · 9:30 AM
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Come out and help us dig up some history!

This meetup has an rsvp deadline of Thursday, April 18th at 11:45pm. Directions to the dig will be sent out via a meetup message on Friday, April 19th to those that have rsvp'd by the deadline.

*This meetup is STRICTLY for age 9 and up ONLY. Children under age 9 will not be allowed on the dig site.*

Please see the FoF calendar for an alternate meetup for parents and their younger kids.

The Arlington Archosaur Site (AAS) occurs within the Cretaceous (95-100 Million year old) sediments of the Woodbine Formation in Arlington, TX. The sediments of the Woodbine Formation preserve an ancient delta plain swamp environment and coastal ecosystem (see attachments).

The Arlington Archosaur Site (AAS) has proven to be an important site in that numerous fossils of a primitive hadrosauroid called Protohadros, several theropods (carnivorous dinos), a new turtle, a new species of lungfish and a new giant super-predator croc (& her babies) have been discovered. These fossils are rare in North America and represent a unique chance to study the evolution of Mid-Cretaceous coastal ecosystems. Our duck billed dino, Protohadros in particular is a transitional species, or "missing link", in the evolution of iguanodonts into hadrosaurs. In fact all of our fossil animals are dynamic examples of evolution in action! Of equal interest, numerous coprolites representing nearly every animal within the ecosystem have been recovered. It is also an interesting site as it is among the few major dinosaur excavations to occur within an urban setting (DFW metroplex). No private fossil collecting is allowed, all of the fossils found at the site are returned to UTA campus for curation and study.

We take adult diggers and work most weekends. We provide the tools and training, its fairly simple work, but tedious and requires some heavy lifting (not appropriate for children under 10). We give free geologic tours of the AAS to 1st time diggers to help them understand what we have found and why.

For more info:

The AAS webpage:
http://www.arlingtonarchosaursite.com

The AAS Facebook fanpage (I post dig dates and info here):
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Arlington-Archosaur-Site/188601874524788

Join or login to comment.

Michael Maxey

Had a great time and learned a lot. Dr. Derek Main gave a good tour and took the time to talk and explain things about the dig site.

0 · April 21
Amanda Jules

Please load any photos you took so a slide show can be made for the Gathering tomorrow.

0 · April 20
Jamye Carr

If you are here with FoF please sign in and come find me. In wearing bright neon green shirt.

0 · April 20
Nicole C

Got a little lost. Be there soon!

0 · April 20
Elizabeth

Cramming for a test in nursing school. Want to give my spot to someone who can attend. Also never got direction sent to me (just so you know). See you all on Sunday and have fun!

0 · April 20
Mauricio

I registered for this event but have not yet received any information. I'm excited to attend. Let me know. Thanks!

0 · April 19
- View all 4 replies
- April Wells
  
  check the email you signed up for the meetup site with. Jaime sent out details day before yesterday
  
  0 · April 19
- Jamye Carr
  
  Or email me at [masked] and I will reply to you with directions. Make sure you get the spelling right! Hope to see you in the morning.
  
  0 · April 19
- April Wells
  
  oops sorry for misspelling your name.
  
  0 · April 19
- Jamye Carr
  
  No worries! It only matters when folks are trying to email me really. :)
  
  0 · April 19
Ris

I may come say hi on Saturday and check out the site since I haven't been out there in a year or so! :)

0 · April 17
Shirley

Sounds fascinating;I've read some about the discovery and look forward to seeing it and actually learning some methods of excavation.

0 · April 17
Jamye Carr

Directions have been emailed to everyone who has RSVP'd at this time. If you RSVP after today, please email me at [masked] to get directions!

0 · April 17
Shannon Williams

We aren't old enough yet!!!

1 · April 17
Elizabeth

Me, my husband and my two teenage sons

0 · March 29
April Wells

April, David, Davy & Judy

0 · March 17
jon

We are experienced rock, gem and fossil hunters. However I have had both of my hips replaced in the past year and there are certain things I can't do. If this is very physical and somebody needs my spot on the list. I will understand.

0 · March 17