DIA’s Secret Fossil Forest

Palms from Colorado’s ancient forests

Sixty-five million years ago, lush palm-filled rainforests blanketed much of Colorado. During runway excavations at Denver International Airport, workers discovered giant “fish tails” and called the Museum. It turned out these structures were palm fronds, like the one above, and were in rocks that also contained a diverse array of lily pads and nut-bearing trees.

Kristen A. MacKenzie, MS

Earth Sciences Collections Manager

Nicole Neu-Yagle, MS

Earth Sciences Assistant Collections Manager

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