T-Rex exhumed: Local dinosaur dig could be ‘huge find’

This article is from June 24, from the Lusk Herald. Lusk, in Wyoming, is where the T-Rex, that is now at the Tate Museum in Casper, was found.

T-Rex exhumed: Local dinosaur dig could be ‘huge find’
It’s looking to be an archeological find of a lifetime.

A small group of workers are dusting and digging up the remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex on a ranch near Lusk. This find is one of about 50 T-rex skeletons ever found and could be one of the most complete. Casper College’s Tate Geological Museum field operations specialist J.P. Cavigelli discovered the remains.

Casper College director of museums Deanne Schaff said Cavigelli had been digging on a ranch near Lusk as he did every summer for six years when he came across the dinosaur.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Schaff said. “(Cavigelli) knew there was something there and waited until he had time to go back and dig, and he uncovered enough to realize they were T-rex bones.”

The crew started digging up the dinosaur, dubbed “Lee Rex.” Thus far, areas of the dinosaur’s mid-section, such as vertebrae, a femur and pelvis, have been uncovered. Schaff believes they may find a complete or nearly complete skeleton.

“It’s definitely proving to be the case so far,” Schaff added.

The crew is currently working in the softer dirt surrounding an 18-foot-long, eight-and-a-half foot wide slab of rock where the main part of the skeleton is believed to be. Once work in the softer soil is complete, workers will transport the stone to Casper College, where they will work for between two to four years to extract and restore the skeleton. Cavigelli believes since some of the dinosaur’s remains are embedded in rock, skin impressions may be found.

“Finding skin impressions would be a huge find and would put the Tate on the map,” he said in a statement.

The T-rex lived in the western states during the Cretaceous period between 65 and 67 million years ago, and has been found in Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and possibly North Dakota. “Lee” is possibly the sixth specimen from Wyoming, not including isolated parts.

The site opened to visitors last Saturday, and will be open every Saturday until about mid-July, and possibly later if the dig continues. Those interested in visiting the site should meet at the Lady Bird Rest Area, two miles west of Lusk, at 10 a.m. A representative from the crew will meet visitors and lead them to the site. Visitors are advised to bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera and a sack lunch. Fossil collecting, pets, firearms and fireworks are prohibited.

For more information, call the Tate Geological Museum at 268-2447, or 800-442-2963.