Triceratops gets star treatment in Swenson lab

A historic discovery is taking shape in the basement of Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s Swenson Hall of Geosciences.

In partnership with the Putnam Museum and Science Center, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø students led by Dr. Kelsey Arkle, associate professor of geology, are helping prepare more than 30 fossilized pieces of a ~66-million-year-old triceratops unearthed near Lusk, Wyo.

The quadrupedal, herbivorous dinosaur is known for its three horns, bony frill and massive size, weighing 6 to 12 tons. The fossils, including ribs, vertebrae, a femur and parts of the frill, were discovered over the past two summers by Putnam staff, community volunteers and Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø geology/political science double-major Niccolo Benvenuto ¡¯26.

Now, back on campus, geology students are meticulously scraping and removing sediment from the fossilized bones in Dr. Arkle¡¯s paleontology lab, bringing the reptile to life, one fossil at a time. Their work will become part of the Putnam¡¯s upcoming triceratops skeleton exhibition.

This hands-on research exemplifies Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s Bold & Boundless strategic plan, which calls for innovative, engaged learning and partnerships that enrich the Quad Cities and beyond. Through collaborations like this, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø students aren¡¯t just studying history ¡ª they¡¯re uncovering it and helping bring a scientific treasure to a regional museum.