Highway Salvage Paleontology in the
Wildcat Hills: Life in the Past Lane

This chalicothere jaw was the initial discovery specimen!   Chalicotheres are clawed horse-like animals that have been found in large numbers at Agate Fossil Beds near Harrison, Nebraska.

The lower jaw of an anthracothere, wedged up against the bank of the ancient river.  Anthracotheres were bizarre hippo/pig-like creatures that are fairly common in this 20 million-year-old river deposit.

The lower jaw and leg bone of an early bear. 

A block of associated anthracothere bones ready for jacketing.   Concentrations of bones like this occur when river currents slow or obstacles in the stream create natural "traps" or eddies where heavier bones and debris settle to the bottom. 

Local students assist Shane Tucker, Highway Salvage Preparator, as he applies a plaster and burlap field jacket to a complete turtle specimen.  Numerous other specimens (foreground) have already been jacketed and mapped and are ready to be removed.  A five foot section of fossil log (left foreground) was also discovered in this excavation square.

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