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Marmarth Research Foundation: In the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota

Marmarth Research Foundation: In the Hell Creek formation of North Dakota

Tenontosaur toes
Cloverly Formation

Tenontosaur toes

<em>Stygiochelys</em> skull

Stygiochelys skull
Turtle Ridge
1999

An excellent practical exposure to how paleontology is 'done.' The whole spectrum is available, from prospecting, through extraction and retrieval to preparation of fossils for exhibition - including making casts and molds.

John Akerley
Retired engineer

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Turtle Graveyard

Photos of the turtle graveyard excavation

Eubaena plastron
Over 75 Eubaena shells have been uncovered.
Articulated trionychid shell
A few articulated trionychid shells have been collected at the Turtle Graveyard locality.
Slow day at the Turtle Graveyard
The result of 7 hours in the sun and not finding anything at the Turtle Graveyard locality!!
Norman Gardiner
Volunteer Norman Gardiner has discovered many turtles since he first starting volunteering with the MRF in 2003.
Wade Ortel at the Turtle Graveyard locality
Wade Ortel makes a latex mold of a lignified tree at the Turtle Graveyard locality.
Eubaena skull
A perfectly preserved Eubaena skull.
In situ Palatobaena skull
Lou Tremblay found this incredible Palatobaena skull.
Eubaena skull
Many Eubaena skulls have been uncovered at the Turtle Graveyard locality.
Turtle Graveyard from a distance
This picture was taken on the way back from the Torosaurus locality.
Limb bone
Numerous limb bones have been uncovered.
Eubaena shell
The bone and scute pattern ID this shell as belonging to Eubaena.
In situ Eubaena skull
A perfectly preserved Eubaena skull prior to its removal.
Overburden removal
Tyler Lyson and Emma Schachner remove the last bit of overburden from the Turtle Graveyard.
Palatobaena skull
This is one of four skulls found at the Turtle Graveyard, which represents a new species of turtle.
Preparation
The Turtle Graveyard material is well-preserved, making the preparation of the material an enjoyable experience.
Plastomenid skull (bottom)
A ventral view of a Plastomenid skull from the Turtle Graveyard.
Upside down turtle
A few of the turtles were found upside down.
In situ crocodile vertebra
Mapping in a crocodile vertebra.
Sean Anderson and Kashif Vikaas
Volunteers pose next to a shell they helped collect.
Wheelbarrows
Many wheelbarrows of sediment have been removed from the Turtle Graveyard.
A row of turtles!!
Lou Tremblay, a staff member, found four turtle shells lined up in a row.
Shade!!
A shade tarp is put up at the Turtle Graveyard.
John Akerley
Volunteer John Akerley patiently searches for more turtles at the Turtle Graveyard.
Wesley Anderson
Volunteer Wes Anderson poses by a field jacket he helped make at the Turtle Graveyard locality.
Eubaena turtle skull
This is the most common type of turtle found at the Turtle Graveyard and it represents a new species of turtle.
In situ Eubaena shell
Mapping in a Eubaena shell.
Norman Gardiner
Norman Gardiner next to a perfectly preserved Eubaena shell he uncovered.
Turtle Graveyard
The turtles are preserved in an unconsolidated sand that is very easy to dig through.
Success!
Volunteer Carla Cox is thrilled with her discovery.
Partial skeleton
Many of the turtle shells are associated with other skeletal bones.
The finished product!
A prepared Eubaena shell.
Two Eubaena shells
These Eubaena shells are ready to be jacketed.
Plastomenid skull
We have found a handful of Plastomenid turtle skulls.
Trionychid skull
Lou Tremblay uncovered this articulated Trionychid skull in the lab.
Trionychid neck
A very rare articulated Trionychid neck.
Tunneling after turtles
Volunteer Anne Duray tunnels into the Turtle Graveyard backwall after a shell.
Eubaena foot
A beautifully preserved Eubaena foot.
Pleasant surprise!
Lou Tremblay began the preparation of this block in 2007. It contains two Eubaena shells, an artiuclated leg, tail and an articulated neck and skull. An articulated trionychid skull and neck was also found in this jacket.
Trionychid shell
Numerous Trionychid shell fragments are mixed in with the baenid shells.
Turtle bits
Many post-cranial turtle elements have been collected.
Mixing turtles!
A plastomenid turtle skull was found inside a baenid turtle shell.
Plastomenid skull
This soft-shelled turtle skull is one of many turtle species represented at the Turtle Graveyard.
In search of turtles...
The Turtle Graveyard is a very rich quarry that has produced remains from over 75 individual turles.
Hadrosaur vertebrae
Occasionally we will find non-chelonian remains at the Turtle Graveyard.
shell
Norman Gardiner's find of the day!!
Eubaena skull (bottom)
Bottom view of a perfectly preserved Eubaena skull.
Lignified wood
Lignified wood is abundant at the Turtle Graveyard.
Break
Breaks are often filled with lively discussions regarding the taphonomic history of the Turtle Graveyard.
Afternoon siesta
Volunteer Tom Hollocher takes an afternoon siesta after lunch.