From left to right (back to front) intern Kale Link, paleontologist Cathy Lash, participants Emily Foyt, Angela Murphy, and Denise Steinbach, all working to clear off a bench of debris, while looking for weathered out fossils. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
The white streaks are the backbone and ribs of a large fish. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
A very large shed mosasaur tooth was found at the end of the first day. The type of mosasaur is unknown, but was certainly large according to paleontologists. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
After four years of hard work, Jimmothy the Ichthyodectes has finally been extracted from the hillside. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
Mother-daughter team, Molly and Mara Bestge, have been attending the public fossil digs for over a decade. Mara's first dig was also in the Pembina Gorge, with paleontologist Dr. John Hoganson. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
From left to right: Ron Ellingson, Brayden Geir, Ryan Jose, Gavin Olson, Casey Olson - working the high wall above the Pembina Gorge. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
Paleontologist Clint Boyd (left) with intern Kale Link (right) as they sit atop the freshly flipped fossil fish, Jimmothy the Ichthyodectes. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
A small mosasaur paddle (finger or toe) bone was one of the last bones found during the dig. Photo courtesy of N.D. Geological Survey.
Rain over the previous two weeks did not put a damper on the excitement chipping away in the Pembina Gorge at the 2024 Public Fossil Dig. This summer’s digging season marks 25 years of public digs in North Dakota. It’s only fitting that since the first dig took place in the Pembina Gorge just west of Walhalla in 2000, that the final dig of the season this year ended with ‘Jimmothy’ finally being a…