Camarasaurus — Shell, Wyoming

At Red Canyon Ranch near Shell, Wyoming, the 2007 season — under the direction of Bob Simon — recovered an over 90% complete Camarasaurus skeleton from the Morrison Formation. The specimen showed healed skeletal trauma, evidence that reaches beyond basic anatomy into the animal’s life history.

The dig ran two months and involved the full recovery sequence: controlled matrix removal, stabilization, quarry mapping, and plaster jacketing. Work on site included primary hands-on excavation throughout the project, photographic and video documentation of the recovery, and on-site explanation of procedures to visiting geology groups.

After preparation, the specimen was transferred to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Japan.