![]() Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project 2013
2013 Dig Program Dates. $1,695.00 per week. (see sign up page for details) Dig availability as of 2/5/13 Week 1 July 12th to July 17th. 75% Full Week 2 July 26th to July 31st. 70% Full SPECIAL NOTE: The Billings/Logan International Airport will be experiencing new construction during the months of July and August 2013. The airport will be closed to all flights at 6:00 pm on Fridays and reopening 6:00 pm on Sundays during the construction period. Due to this construction the 2013 dig programs will run Friday through Wednesday. Thanks. JRDI staff
Since 1993, JRDI has been dedicated to the preservation and education of Montana's rich dinosaur history through our field programs. Our six-day long dig programs are tailored with this mission in mind. If you are serious about any aspect of natural history and love the outdoors, you'll find this a rich learning experience. Our programs appeal to a wide audience: students, professionals and people from all walks of life from around the globe. Each specimen we excavate has scientific value, so our digs are not for the casual vacationer. Even if you've never had any class room or field experience, you can still participate. We just ask you come willing to learn and receive instruction. Everyone helps both in the quarry and in the camp! Sometimes our work is hot, dry and dusty, but it's always rewarding. Perhaps that's why so many volunteers return. We hope you'll join us in 2013. We look forward to seeing our old friends and making new ones. Please note: the minimum age of participants is 12 (sorry, no exceptions). Youth Mentoring We receive annual inquiries from parents looking for a dig program offering their son or daughter a real field experience beyond the tourist day trip. Our liability insurance mandates the minimum age as 12. Unfortunately there are no exceptions no matter how mature the child. If your son/daughter meets the age requirement and has always expressed an interest in pursuing a career in paleontology (or earth science), then our week long field programs are a great starting point for many an aspiring scientist. JRDI has hosted programs for the last 20 years with a real life experience that will teach them the sequence of steps in field paleontology from discovery to excavation, but also the responsibilities of being a paleontologist. We teach what is not taught through media or in a classroom.
2012 Field Report 8/22/12 Summer 2012 was a huge success! The staff and I were talking about how fortunate we were this year to have the nicest folks attend. It was that spirit of cooperation that allowed us to pack so much work into two weeks. We are so grateful, because digging these huge creatures could never be done without a team effort. So, thank you all for that.
The sauropod pelvis seems complete with the left femur associated with the pelvis. This femur’s overall length is 4.5 feet. The team also uncovered 11 caudal (tail) vertebrae with seven chevrons. Near the end of the second week, one team member uncovered the first two articulated cervical (neck) vertebrae going into the hill. Looking at the overall material uncovered this summer, I believe the animal is relatively complete. Each time we began to pedestal a bone, something new was uncovered so there will be plenty to excavate in 2013. This is one massive animal that likely will be about 60 feet long!
Upcoming 2013 Excavation..... Here is what we have to look forward to in 2013. Simply put—A LOT OF BONES. We still have three legs to find, more of the torso, tail, and neck and if the paleo gods are smiling on us—another skull! Remember everyone; we only have two weeks next season, so please don’t put it off if you plan to attend. Hope you can join us in July of 2013! All the best. Nate Murphy Judith River Dinosaur Institute
Rolling a jacket Put your back into it!
2012 Dig Photo Gallery
2011 Dig Photo Gallery
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