Hidden beneath Alberta’s lush forests lies a mass grave of dinosaurs, buried beneath the layers of time for 72 million years. Known as the "River of Death," Pipestone Creek is now the site of groundbreaking palaeontological excavation aimed at unraveling the enigma of this prehistoric disaster.
Leading the research is Professor Emily Bamforth, who, alongside her team, is digging into the dense deposits of fossilized bones with the help of a sledgehammer. Mesmerizing discoveries include various bones belonging to Pachyrhinosaurus—a cousin of Triceratops—whose distinctive features include a bony frill and horns. The excavation site is densely packed with fossils, yielding about 300 bones per square meter, and spans a full kilometer into the hillside.
"The density is jaw-dropping," states Prof Bamforth. "It is one of the largest bone beds in North America." The region was once rich in vegetation, providing sustenance for herds of these massive herbivores that likely migrated together from southern regions during seasonal shifts.
Not just Pachyrhinosaurus called this area home; larger dinosaurs like the Edmontosaurus also roamed these lands. Nearby, palaeontologist Jackson Sweder is recovering bones from these titans as they continue to provide insights into the ancient ecosystems of Alberta. Sweder oversees the collection at the Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum, where findings like a massive Pachyrhinosaurus skull dubbed "Big Sam," can be studied further.
Prof Bamforth suspects a catastrophic event, like a flash flood, might have caused the swift demise of these dinosaurs. Evidence suggests their movements would have been stymied by their numbers and size, leaving them vulnerable to the flooding caused by sudden storms that uprooted trees and dislodged rocks. Analyses of the sedimentary stones reveal the violent waters that swept through that fateful day.
"Every time we return, there's certainty we'll uncover more bones," says Prof Bamforth. As the excavation progresses, the team eagerly anticipates unveiling the rich history of these remarkable creatures, creating a vivid picture of both their existence and their untimely end.
The engaging journey into the dinosaur world will be further explored in the upcoming BBC series "Walking With Dinosaurs," premiering on May 25 at 18:25 BST. The excavation continues to reveal profound insights into life and death 72 million years ago, reminding us of the mysteries that lie beneath our feet.
