Todays tidbit Fossil Butte is an ancient graveyard. Like 50–million years ancient. It’s here, 15 miles northwest of Kemmerer, Wyoming, where one of the most productive “finds” in the world is located. Perfectly-preserved remains of animal and plant life have been unearthed at Fossil Butte over the last 100 years. And since we’re looking at a site that was once a massive lake, 50 miles long and 20 miles wide, there are unprecedented discoveries of the fish, that swam here 50 million years ago. It was a sudden uplift here at the pre-historic lake, where rocks were laid down, the lakebed thrust upward, and a limestone-clay cemetary was formed. And it wasn’t just a graveyard for fish, but fossilized remains of insects have been found here too. Preserved remains of crocodiles and stingrays, and birds and bats have been discovered at Fossil Butte. The treasures here have been found as shallow as 30 feet below the surface, and as far down as 300 feet. Many of the now-famous former inhabitants from Fossil Butte are on display in museums throughout the world. And it’s those perfectly-preserved former lake dwellers that have made this pre-historic colony so famous. And one can only imagine some of the mighty beasts that must have come to sip from the lake. Amazingly, an astounding 50-million years ago. Fossil Butte National Monument was established in 1972, and an 8,198-acre park was created as well. The Fossil Butte National Monument Visitor’s Center has a display of fossils, an information desk, and a bookstore, it’s open year-round, and serves as the base for two groomed hiking trails.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:17:47 +0000
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