From the Archives: Diving for Fossils

Paleontology happens everywhere. Every region presents new terrain and challenges for excavation, but each is also uniquely rewarding in the fossils lying below. In the Wekiva River, fossils are found submerged in the flowing river and encased beneath its banks.

Divers lifting mammoth ulna from river

Mammoth ulna with Coca-Cola can for scale

This sort of excavation must be done carefully and by an experienced team to prevent damage to both the fossils and the riverine ecosystems, but when done right–and with plenty of teamwork, as seen below–the discoveries can be remarkable. The photo series below from the Wekiva River dives documents some of the planning and effort that went into the excavation.