What I did this fall www.nps.gov/dino/learn/n...

One of the best parts of fieldwork is watching interns go from unsure to confident, learning skills you just can’t get anywhere else. 🦴⛏️

Before we were Elevation Science, and even before we were the Bighorn Basin Paleontological Institute, this is what our fieldwork looked like back in 2016!

New research on T. rex growth! 🦖 By analyzing growth rings in leg bones from 17 tyrannosaurs, scientists found that T. rex was a late bloomer, taking ~35–40 years to fully mature. The study also highlights major variation in growth, raising new questions about tyrannosaur diversity.

Fossils aren't just bones! It's easy to think of giant sauropod leg bones or a terrifying theropod claw, but what about other kinds of fossils? They can come in the form of sea shells, coprolites, or even footprints! Thanks for joining us for episode 2 of Paleo Bites! 🦴

You know a really fabulous place for nerdy kids to boost their social skills? @sternbergcamps.bsky.social! Registration is now open!🦕

HEY guys -- you know what we need? Another paper on ontogeny and systematics in Tyrannosaurus! This one was in review at the same time as Zanno & Napoli 2025 on #Nanotyrannus and includes an addendum that discusses overlap in conclusions. Also: 'T rex species complex' .... peerj.com/articles/204...

Looks like we got into National Geographic Hungary! ng.24.hu/tudomany/202...

Outreach today in Columbus, GA! Teaching 6th graders all day about the paleontology of the eastern United States! 🦴🦕

Ajkaceratops...is actually a ceratopsian? A new paper confirms that Ajkaceratops does indeed belong to Ceratopsia! Not only that, but some other rhabdodontids do too. Were you surprised by this news? Congratulations to Susannah Maidment and fellow authors on this paper! 🎉

Fossil Friday — Hovda Highlights! 🦴 In 2025, we opened a new site discovered in 2024. It's small, but productive; producing limb bones, vertebrae, ribs, and more — likely sauropods, theropods, and maybe early ornithopters like Dryosaurus.

New blog post in our new series The Rambling Scientist: elevationscience.org/field-journa... Today’s topic: the 2025 Aurora Borealis

I filmed a new segment today for Elevation Science! 🦕 This new video format will feature short-form paleontology scicomm mini-sodes, from new prehistoric animal discoveries to myth-busting. But what should we call it? Votes are welcomed! Paleo Bites Paleo Nuggets Paleo Pops Or something else?

We did it — we surpassed our fundraiser goal! 🎉 Huge thanks to everyone who donated, shared, and supported Elevation Science. Your generosity fuels hands-on discovery, outreach, and work on the next incredible find.

We're kicking off a new series on the Elevation Science blog: The Rambling Scientist, by Dr. Rick Schmidt. It’s for anyone who's ever looked at the stars, the sky, the Earth, and thought, “Huh… what’s going on here?” Stay tuned on The Field Journal. elevationscience.org/field-journal

Big congrats to former Elevation Science intern Jeb Bugos! 🎉 Jeb is a co-author on a 2025 Science paper featuring new research related to Nanotyrannus. So proud to see our past interns contributing to paleontology! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Hello, 2026. 💛 A new year means new questions and more discovery ahead. Happy New Year from Elevation Science!

Today is the LAST day to support discovery experiences and the work behind incredible discoveries like The Queen of Skywalker B. Donations are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 through midnight. givebutter.com/Elevation-Di...

And with that… 2025 comes to an end. A quick recap of field days, lab work, and discovery made possible by our team and community. Grateful for everyone who was part of it. Goodnight, 2025. ❤️✨ See everyone next year!

Top Fossil Discoveries of 2025 🦴 🦕 2025 was a big year for fossils. We rounded up some highlights of the coolest and most fascinating discoveries here:

Discovery builds curiosity, confidence, and connection through hands-on science. As the year comes to a close, there’s still time to support discovery, and December gifts go even further with matching donations up to $10,000! givebutter.com/Elevation-Di...

Kelley (Week 1 participant of our 2025 field season) stopped by to visit our Paleo Prep Lab Manager Katie at the Cincinnati Museum Center! We love seeing participants outside of field season, too. Hope to dig dinosaurs with you again next year, Kelley!

Need a last-minute gift idea? 🦕 🎁 Give the gift of discovery with Dinosaur Discovery Days: a hands-on fossil dig day trip in Montana (no experience needed!) elevationscience.org/fossil-dig-d...

Happy Holidays from Elevation Science! ✨ We’re grateful for our staff, volunteers, participants, interns, partners, donors, and everyone who supports discovery and hands-on science. Wishing you a joyful season and a bright New Year.

Discovery changes people. Hands-on science builds curiosity, confidence, and connection. This December, your support helps make those experiences possible, and your impact goes twice as far. Donations are matched up to $10,000 by the Stahl family. givebutter.com/Elevation-Di...

Need the perfect gift for the dinosaur lover in your life? 🎁🦕 Give them the gift of discovery: a real fossil dig expedition in Montana. Hands-on paleontology, Jurassic fossils, unforgettable memories. elevationscience.org/fossil-dig-e...

New research just dropped on Diplodocus skin...and it’s giving us our first evidence of sauropod colour patterning! 🦕✨ How exciting is this new paper!? Full paper: royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article... www.instagram.com/reel/DSLEUEl...

Result from today's stream! A bby Diplodocus in 2 hours! In light of the new paper by Tess Gallagher I was really excited to draw a colorful little sauropod! I've studied and compiled knowledge on the Morrison for years so it's always amazing to see big new research! #paleoart #sciart

Analysis of Diplodocus skin fossils indicates the presence of diverse melanosome types, suggesting these dinosaurs may have exhibited speckled color patterning rather than uniform coloration. doi.org/qh3n

If you created any artwork based on our recent study on Diplodocus color patterns, we would love to see it!!! Please feel free to reply to this with your colorful dippy art 🦕🖌️🎨

Some exciting news relevant to sauropod life appearance (specifically, to diplodocids) has just been published by @tessasaurus.bsky.social and colleagues, excellent! In time, a Part II to this article will definitely be required .... tetzoo.com/blog/2019/1/... #dinosaurs #FossilFriday

NEW paper out today in Royal Society Open Science: “Fossilized melanosomes reveal colour patterning of a sauropod dinosaur” (2025). 🦕 Research conducted in part & facilitated by Elevation Science. Art by Tess Gallagher. royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...

Excited to announce that my second manuscript, “Fossilised Melanosomes Reveal Colour Patterning in A Sauropod Dinosaur” has been published in @royalsociety.org !! Diplodocus scales are complex and diverse, and it turns out their color patterning was even more so. A 🧵🦕 1/26

Discovery changes people. Our Bring Discovery to Life fundraiser helps more people experience hands-on science; through fieldwork, fossils, and learning by doing. December donations are matched by the Stahl family up to $10,000, doubling your impact! givebutter.com/Elevation-Di...

2026 field internship applications are now open at Elevation Science! If you want hands-on experience in field science/paleontology with an expert team, apply here: elevationscience.org/internships Questions welcome!

There were so many big paleo publications made this year, especially in the last few months. First sauropod with gut content, nanotyrannus X2, new hadrosaur mummies, new pterosaur in vomit. You think any more big things will come before the year ends????

Happy International Volunteer Day! 💛🦴 To our volunteers in the field and the lab: thank you for helping make discovery possible and bringing the past to life. Support more hands-on discovery: December donations are matched by the Stahl family up to $10,000. givebutter.com/Elevation-Di...

🚨 Applications for the Elevation Science 2026 Field Internship open Dec 8! Spend your summer in Montana learning excavation, mapping, and jacketing with the Elevation Science field team! Only 2 spots available — applications close Jan 31. Learn more: elevationscience.org/internships

This year, our team uncovered an extraordinary sauropod with beautifully preserved articulation, now called The Queen of Skywalker B. If you’d like to help fund the preparation, research, and excavation of this remarkable find, you can support the project here: givebutter.com/Elevation-Di...

Happy #Thanksgiving from Elevation Science! 🦃🍂🥧 @thedinomancer.bsky.social

This week, we're feeling extra grateful. Elevation Science wouldn't be what it is without the incredible community around us; our staff, participants, volunteers, past interns, students, families, friends, donors, and our partners in science and education. Happy #Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!

Ever wondered what it's like to be a field #paleontology student? Here's a glimpse of the last couple of summers; #fossil digs, badland hikes, new friends, and hands-on #science. Want in? Join us for ERTH 491: Field Paleontology in 2026! Only 6 spots left! elevationscience.org/college-stud...

Counting down the days until we're back in the dirt again. 🦕⛏️

Happy #FossilFriday! 🦕 Rachel is holding a juvenile Diplodocus toe bone she helped excavate at the Mother’s Day Quarry in 2024, a 150-million-year-old piece of a Jurassic giant. Sauropods had short, sturdy toes, which is why their tracks look like big round craters!

Antonio Armagno and Declan Fahy are having a blast at SVP 2025! #2025SVP

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime! Join us for the 2026 field expedition in Montana's Bighorn Basin, uncover Jurassic fossils with our team of paleontologists, and contribute to real science! elevationscience.org/fossil-dig-e...

Today, we honor all veterans who have served our country... past and present. A special thank-you to our very own Dr. Rick Schmidt for his service and for the dedication he brings to both the field and the classroom today. We are grateful for your courage, commitment, and sacrifice.

Ancient climates 🤝 today’s lessons. We were recently shown on CBS LA in a segment on fossils, the K–Pg boundary, and what past climate change can teach us now. Huge thanks to Marina Jurica & her son John for letting us be part of the journey! youtu.be/VvAnuZmsec0?...

Today is the final curtain call for Field Station: Dinosaurs in New Jersey. It wasn’t just an animatronic park; it was a place where dreams grew, careers began, and families made memories. Thank you, Field Station: Dinosaurs. What a run. ❤️🦕 elevationscience.org/field-journa...

The debate is over — Nanotyrannus lives! Well, it used to anyway. Scientists have now confirmed the existence of the tiny tyrant, #Nanotyrannus, ending an almost century-long debate among #dinosaur experts and enthusiasts. Not only does Nanotyrannus exist, but there are now two recognized species!