Hᴜndredѕ of Well рreѕerʋed рreһіѕtorіc аnімаlѕ һаʋe Ьeen Foᴜnd іn аn аncіent ʋolcаnіc аѕһЬed іn NeЬrаѕkа

This waterhole has drawn prehistoric animals to the high grasslands of Nebraska. Animals roamed the savannah-like areas, from horses, camels, rhinoceros, and even wild dogs lurking nearby.

And then one day everything changed. A volcano erupted hundreds of miles away in southeastern Idaho. Within days, up to two feet of ash covered parts of what is now Nebraska.

Some of the animals died instantly after being swallowed by the ash and other debris. Most animals survived for several more days, taking ash into their lungs as they scoured the ground for food. Within weeks, all but a few survivors were gone in northeastern Nebraska.

More than 12 million years later, fossils were found in Antelope County near the small town of Royal. The baby rhinoceros skull was discovered by a Nebraska paleontologist and his wife while exploring the area. Fossils were exposed by erosion. Exploring the area soon began.

As more discoveries have been made, this place has become more of a tourist attraction. Today, visitors can visit Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historic Park to see hundreds of fossils of 12 species of animals, including five horses, three camels, and one saber-toothed tiger. The infamous saber-toothed tiger is still a dream.

Visitors view fossils at the Hubbard Rhino Barn. This 17,500-square-foot facility offers walking trails while preserving fossils. Kiosks provide information about fossils in specific areas.

If summer interns or paleontologists are nearby on a tour of the barn, they are willing to chat about their work and answer questions. During our visit, we learned that an intern had discovered petrified dog paw prints.

Outside the barn, visitors can read facts about the area, including how mammoths migrated to North America about 1.5 million years ago. A yellow flag in the area near the main road leading to the barn marks the location of the rhino skull. Red flags indicate where more fossils have been found.

Visitor Activities And Views At Ashfall Fossil Beds

In addition to the Hubbard Barn, the Ashfall Fossil Beds has a discovery area where children can search the sand for their own fossil finds. A small barn is used for special exhibitions and lectures.

The Visitor Center houses animal remains and paleontologists studying current finds. Nebraska was part of a tropical ocean about 60 million years ago when the savannah spread across the region.

Fossils found in the area include plesiosaurs, mammals from the Jurassic period. The fossils on display were found at Santee Sanctuary, about an hour away.

Sculptures of local animals surround the State Historic Park. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historic Park is open daily during the summer, beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day. Otherwise spend hours looking at this site.

To visit the park, you must have a state park permit in addition to a $7 admission fee (he is $6 per vehicle for state day permits, free for annual passes).