Remarkable Discoveries in Southern Saskatchewan

In a remarkable turn of events, Southern Saskatchewan has become the center of the scientific world this year, showcasing two unprecedented prehistoric discoveries that have landed a spot on Swift Current Online's list of top stories for 2024.

Amber Deposits Uncovered

The first significant find involved a research team from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum unearthing amber deposits in the Big Muddy Badlands near Bengough. This amber, dating back an astonishing 67 million years, marks the first time such deposits containing prehistoric insects have been discovered in Saskatchewan.

The significance of this find cannot be overstated; it offers a crucial perspective on the ecological landscape of the time.

Ryan McKellar, the museum's curator of paleontology, explained how this amber plays a crucial role in bridging gaps in the fossil record. “There's about a 16 to 17 million-year period where we don’t have many amber deposits, and this unfortunately overlaps with the extinction event. This discovery allows us to gain insight into insect life just before that pivotal moment,” he stated.

The findings, which draw comparisons to studies conducted in North Carolina regarding late Cretaceous insects, were published in the prestigious journal, *Current Biology*.

Significant Dinosaur Discoveries

The second major discovery came from a dedicated eight-year excavation project led by paleontologists and researchers from McGill University, focused on the area near Lake Diefenbaker.

According to Alexandre Demers-Potvin, a PhD palaeobiologist from McGill, the findings, which date back up to 75 million years ago, will be showcased at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for both display and scientific study.

Among the recovered fossils, they identified remains from a horned dinosaur closely related to Triceratops, specifically a species called centrosaurus. “This is significant as we were not previously certain that centrosaurus existed in Saskatchewan until this discovery; we now have part of the skull to definitively validate its presence here,” noted Demers-Potvin with enthusiasm.

Additionally, the team excavated a treasure trove of fossils that included remnants of duck-billed dinosaurs, tyrannosaurs, shark teeth, crocodilian remains, turtle shells, and even a small fragment of a foot bone from a dinosaur that may have resembled a chicken.

This further illustrates the diversity of prehistoric life that once thrived in this region.

Future Discoveries Await

Demers-Potvin pointed out the exciting possibilities still awaiting discovery. He indicated that the areas around Saskatchewan Landing and upstream along the South Saskatchewan River are ripe for further fossil exploration, suggesting that there are countless prehistoric mysteries yet to be uncovered across the province.

Conclusion

These groundbreaking discoveries not only shed light on the rich paleontological history of Saskatchewan but also highlight the region's potential for future archaeological finds. For those intrigued by these monumental discoveries, there's much more to explore in the world of paleontology in Saskatchewan and beyond!