Wooster's first dinosaur! (Well … maybe.)
MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL — This morning while collecting fossils in the Zihor Formation (Upper Cretaceous) we found the above bones and several other smaller fragments. They are reptile bones as shown by their density and configuration. The shape of the larger piece looks dinosaurian to me, but it may be wishful thinking. We will turn them over to the Survey and park authorities, along with their exact location coordinates, so that maybe later a vertebrate paleontologist will examine them and explore the site further. Dinosaurs are very rare in the Middle East so this could be a good story someday. In any case, it was fun being vertebrate paleontologists for awhile!
UPDATE: Mosasaur bones, it turns out. Just as cool, I say.
Looks like you all are finding a TON of good fossils! I have such fond memories of my time in Isreal doing I.S. field work. Good luck with the rest of your trip!
Good to hear from you, Kevin! I have fond memories of our trip as well. In fact, just spent a good part of the day in the Gevanim Valley where we worked together on Allison’s section. Hope all is well!