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Image of small gryposaurus figurine
Dino Lab

» On-Campus Dinosaur Lab

Founded by Presidential fellow Jack Horner in 2022, the Chapman University dinosaur lab empowers students to work directly on dinosaur specimens. Currently, student workers are preparing a gryposaurus specimen discovered in Northern Montana in 2021.

This specimen was discovered by Chapman alum Sarah Wallace'22 and excavated by paleontologists from Oklahoma State University and Chapman students from various disciplines. 

 

Hammering Away

Ben Rotenberg, screen acting major in the class of 2023, uses his hammer to destroy "overburden," or rock sitting near the dinosaur bone as it is excavated.
 

Dreambone

The gryposaurus bone sits inside the plaster jacket created for its transport.
 

Unwinding After Digging

Sarah Wallace'22 sits in the common space on the dig site. Students and paleontologists mingle in this common area, passing the time by playing chess, card games, or discussing dinosaurs.
 

Students Get to Work

Chapman students assist on the dig by using shovels to clear additional dirt surrounding the specimen prior to its move.
 

The Farm

Throughout the dig, students camp across from this beautiful farm house, enjoying the views offered in the Big Sky State.
 

Fitting Decor

At the Redding Farm, decor choices reflect the yearly dinosaur excavations.
 

Holly and Molly

Dr. Holly Ballard reviews collected specimen from the day with Molly Steavpack '24. 
 

In the Field

Dr. Holly Ballard smiles while on the dig site. Notice her hat and sunglasses, key accessories for paleontologists in the Montanan sun. 
 

End of Day

Molly Steavpack'24 and Sarah Wallace'22 walk away from the dig site in the Badlands after a long day of searching for fossils. 
 

Looking 65 Million Years into the Past

Sarah Wallace'22 looks through the eyes of a dinosaur fossil found in the Rudyard Depot Museum.
 

Digging Up Dreams

Sarah Wallace'22 focuses on digging tunnels beneath the gryposaurus specimen. By digging these tunnels, the excavators can string plaster-covered fabric under the fossil in order to secure the plaster jacket and safely transport the specimen. 
 

Discovering the Badlands

Sarah Wallace'22 looks into the Badlands. Digging in Montana allows for students to experience this vast landscape while they uncover million-year-old fossils in its layers of deposited sediment. 
 

The Dig Site

The gryposaurus specimen was uncovered in the Montanan Badlands, a terrain that it is difficult to imagine dinosaurs once wandered in. 
Two years ago, Chapman alum Sarah Wallace '22 discovered the gryposaurus specimen in Northern Montana. This dinosaur has had quite the journey from its discovery to its arrival at Chapman. Explore videos of this excavation by Chapman students through the "Journey to the Gryposaurus" tab on the left. 

Dino Lab Student Workers

The DinoLab employs students across disciplines to volunteer to work on unique fossils.
photo of Greta Kunze

Greta Kunze

Fossil Preparation Intern
Greta is currently a sophomore at Chapman University, majoring in biology with an emphasis in molecular biology. Along with working in the paleontology lab on campus, she also works as an archeological intern at Cooper Labs. Her passion for dinosaurs began as a child, trying to dig them up in her backyard. Little did she know that her dream of curating and excavating fossils would come true!

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If you'd like to contribute to the Dinosaur Lab at Chapman University, click the link below. Your contribution will help students get hands-on experience with interdisciplinary paleontological research. 
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