Join the Judith River Dinosaur Institute expeditions to explore north central Montana in search of dinosaur remains!











Congratulations are in order to all who went exploring this year. Many people made significant contributions and on behalf of all the staff and JRDI I thank each explorer who participated during sometimes trying conditions. Most everyone found some good specimens and in fact several of the new finds are quite significant. This is the more remarkable when you consider that most of weeks 1 and 2 were spent excavating the “Roberta” specimen so only weeks 3 and 4 were solely spent exploring.

Yet again expedition participants found a partly articulated specimen this year. By boldly going where no one else would (or should!) volunteers Andrew and Bob found most of a juvenile Hadrosaurine on the last day of week 3. Their informal name for the find, which has been accepted, is “Peanut”. A small excavation of the site has already yielded a partial skull and more to come.

Another significant discovery was a braincase and partial skull found by Kathy, John and Ruth in the last days of week 4. John had found a Tyrannosaur tooth on his first few hours in the field on day 1, so this exploration crew was clearly primed for good hunting!

Some possible new bone bed sites were identified and many interesting specimens collected for the museum including ankylosaurid material and hadrosaur bones with pathologies and bite marks. Staff members also contributed with various finds to be announced at a later date.

Thanks to all who helped survey this drainage in 2002. We hope you enjoy talking to and teaching people about your experience with dinosaur hunting. May your ‘Chunkosaurus’ specimens tell many tales and encourage you to return to the Judith River Formation to find the ‘big one’ in 2003!


Click here or image for larger graphic.

The week 4 group enjoy the view from
a new site they just found.
Copyright 2002 - A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Here Dave and his grandson John help excavate a ceratopian limb bone at the new site.
Copyright 2002 - A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

George has made a good find at Klein Ridge and goes prepared for some more detailed exploration.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

The discoverers of the new “Peanut” site,
Andrew and Bob
along with staff Tim, Matt and Mark.
Copyright 2002
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Jane and Eric are really enjoying exploring the landforms of the Judith River Formation.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute.
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Gail, Kathy and Ruth were also good at finding modern bones like this specimen on the prairie. Their excuse was that they are attracted to all forms of articulation!
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Dan from North Carolina has had a good morning and celebrates his finds by doing his Knights Tour version of the ‘Magic Lizard Dance’. We don’t call that formation behind him ‘Happy Hill’ for nothing!
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

This is the site of a braincase found by dynamic duo John and Kathy with glacial-rock expert Ruth. Ruth’s ability to collect and sort glacial rocks clearly helped John and Kathy make this discovery. What a team! Assisting the excavation is Stinky the dog.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Andrew ventures that size really does matter with this discovery of a metatarsal bone during week 3.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Staffers Tim and Mark enjoy their discovery of a special find, a jaw and partial skull of an interesting probable Hadrosaurine.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Young John was a real trooper climbing those hills and carrying out loads of ‘Chunkosaurus’ during week 4.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute - A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Victor and Jane along with son Eric did some great work helping test a new site in the FB coulee.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

“Come to Dinosaur Country!!” This was Matts’ reaction to something Mark found during week 3 and says a lot about how much fun the exploration was this year.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Dave points to a beautiful Tyrannosaur tooth he found while exploring with grandson John.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

AJ finds a neat tarsal bone. You’ll find the rest of the dinosaur next time AJ!
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Caleb was the quintessential young paleontologist with his Velociraptor drinking cup.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Johns’ Dad, Mark shows off the ‘Bone of Friendship’ awarded at the start of week 4.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

Exploration for dinosaurs can include meeting different sorts of wildlife along with the geological environment. This butterfly and bug were found by staffer Mark enjoying one of the greener coulees this summer.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.


Click here or image for larger graphic.

All good things must end for now. The last day of the last exploration week for 2002 packs up and heads back to the museum.
Copyright 2002, Judith River Dinosaur Institute
A JRDI photo.

Expedition 2002 - Description | Expedition Staff | Fees and Dates | Application
Back to Home Page | TOP of PAGE | Application Form
Images and photos throughout this piece courtesy of
the Judith River Dinosaur Institute
and the Phillips County Museum
Copyright - Judith River Dinosaur Institute - 2002
Box 51177 Billings, MT 59105
Contact Nate Murphy at: (406) 696-5842 -- jrdi@bresnan.net

Technical questions/comments: gordonh@blackfoot.net