Next date: June 15, 2024 9:30 am
On the first and third Saturdays of every month, PG County Parks invites the public to explore the fossil dig site at the Dinosaur Park in Laurel, Maryland. It’s like an open-house for paleontologists and amateur fossil enthusiasts.
The fossils at Dinosaur Park are mostly from the Cretaceous Period, which was a time of great environmental change. This means that the park is a treasure trove of information about the plants and animals that lived during this time.
Astrodon Johnstoni, the Maryland State dinosaur, and largest species east of the Mississippi River, once roamed here. You can find a life-size reconstruction of Astrodon Johnstoni at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore.
Exploring the Dig Site
- Start by looking at exposed surfaces. Fossils are often found in the sides of erosion cuts or other exposed areas. Keep an eye out for any signs of bone, teeth, or shells.
- Look for changes in color or texture. Fossils may differ in color or texture from the surrounding rocks.
- Document your finds. Take pictures of any fossils you find, and note their location and the type of rock they were in to share with park authorities.
- Dinosaur Park is a protected dig site and collecting of fossils is prohibited.