Connecting the Upper Middle Neighborhoods of Phoenix - Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central
No Result
View All Result
SUBSCRIBE
The Upper Middle
  • All News
    • Business
    • Commentary
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Events
    • Family
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle & Fitness
    • Local News
    • Real Estate
  • Business Directory
The Upper Middle
  • All News
    • Business
    • Commentary
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Events
    • Family
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle & Fitness
    • Local News
    • Real Estate
  • Business Directory
No Result
View All Result
SUBSCRIBE
The Upper Middle
No Result
View All Result

Arizona Museum of Natural History Volunteers Unearth 75 Million Year Old Dinosaur

  • April 16, 2021
  • theumphx
  • The Upper Middle

The earliest known brachylophosaur has been discovered in New Mexico by volunteers and citizen scientists of Mesa’s Arizona Museum of Natural History. 

The large, plant-eating dinosaur Ornatops incantatus is the first brachylophosaurin reported in the state and dates back approximately 78 million-84 million years ago, according to paleontologists who described the new creature.

Derek Hoffman, a member of Southwest Paleontological Society, and Sherman Mohler, the president of SPS, made the thrilling discovery.

SPS is a partner organization of AzMNH, whose citizen scientists are also volunteers of the museum.

“Derek and I were fortunate that Doug Wolfe and Dr. Andrew McDonald had dropped the SPS team into a fossil rich location, but of course most of what you usually find are bits and scraps,” Mohler said in a press release.

However, volunteers made the rare discovery of cranial material, helping paleontologists to identify the dinosaur had a crest on the bridge of its nose and was duck-billed. Ornatops incantatus means “enchanted ornate face.” 

“Citizen science is an incredible benefit to organizations like ours,” Alison Stoltman, acting director of the museum, said in the release. “Enthusiasts with likeminded interests, and a variety of expertise to achieve things that we could not conceive of otherwise.” 

The newly discovered dinosaur would’ve been one of the largest in its habitat and a major component of its ecosystem, according to Dr. Andrew McDonald, Western Science Center curator.

“Our ongoing work seeks to understand that ecosystem, how it changed through time, and how it slots into the rich and majestic history of dinosaur evolution in North America,” McDonald said in the release.

The field research involved a collaboration of the Western Science Center, Zuni Dinosaur Institute for Geosciences and SPS, according to the release. 

“As a citizen, not much of a scientist, I’m in awe to help in any small way to bring to life our planets’ past history,” Nancy Ebbinghaus, SPS member said in the release.

 

Sponsored Ad

RECENT NEWS

Krispy Kreme Launches Limited-Edition PAC-MAN Doughnuts to Celebrate 45th Anniversary

Two Arizona Landmarks Named to 2025 List of Most Endangered Historic Places

Uncrustables® Launches First-Ever Limited-Edition Flavor: Peanut Butter & Mixed Berry Spread Sandwiches Debut Nationwide This Summer

Waymo’s Expansion Brings More Driverless Cars to Phoenix Neighborhoods Like Arcadia and North Central

Phoenix–Paris Takes Off: Air France Expands Sky Harbor Service to Five Weekly Flights

Snoop Dogg’s Doggyland Joins KIDZ BOP Live Tour, Coming to Phoenix August 29

Next Post
Arizona Chef Joey Maggiore Plans To Open a Mexican Restaurant in Phoenix

Arizona Chef Joey Maggiore Plans To Open a Mexican Restaurant in Phoenix

Fose + McKay Fose + McKay Fose + McKay
The Upper Middle Phoenix
The Upper Middle Phoenix (The UM) is your go-to source for local news, events, business updates, and culture in Arcadia, North Central Phoenix, and Biltmore. We also cover Paradise Valley and Downtown Phoenix, bringing you the latest on food & drink, real estate, outdoor activities, and community happenings.
Connecting the Upper Middle Neighborhoods of Phoenix - Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE

©2025 The Upper Middle 1801 East Camelback Road, Suite 201, Phoenix, AZ 85016 / 602.222.4700 / [email protected] 

Max Fose – Publisher | Privacy Policy | Advertise With Us | Media Kit | About The Upper Middle Phoenix

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
    • Business
    • Commentary
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Events
    • Family
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle & Fitness
    • Local News
    • Real Estate
  • Business Directory
Connecting the Upper Middle Neighborhoods of Phoenix - Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central

©2025 The Upper Middle 1801 East Camelback Road, Suite 201, Phoenix, AZ 85016 / 602.222.4700 / [email protected]