Active Discoveries
Excavation Map
37 sites with active excavations in the last 10 years. Click a marker for details.
All Sites 37 sites
Hell Creek Formation
Montana / North Dakota / South Dakota, USA
Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops horridus +2
One of the world's most productive fossil formations, continuously active. Public and scientific digs ongoing near Marmarth, North Dakota.
Judith River Formation
Montana (EUA) / Alberta (Canadá), Canada / USA
Brachylophosaurus, Maiasaura peeblesorum +2
Since 2017, field crews have excavated multiple articulated tyrannosaur skeletons and a rare mummified hadrosaur arm. One of Montana's most active sites.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Alberta, Canada
Styracosaurus albertensis, Gorgosaurus libratus +2
UNESCO World Heritage Site with 58 dinosaur species catalogued. In 2024, new ceratopsid tracksites were found, the first natural concave moulds in the park.
Two Medicine Formation
Montana, USA
Maiasaura peeblesorum, Hypacrosaurus stebingeri +2
Famous for Maiasaura nesting sites, with continuous excavations. 2024 research revalidated Troodon specimens collected in the 1980s-90s. New bonebed found in 2020.
Morrison Formation – Jurassic Mile (Wyoming)
Wyoming / Colorado / Utah, USA
Allosaurus fragilis, Brachiosaurus altithorax +2
The 'Jurassic Mile' in Wyoming has active volunteer and research teams. An exceptionally preserved Allosaurus with skin impressions was found at the Lower Sauropod Quarry.
Cedar Mountain Formation
Utah, USA
Utahraptor ostrommaysi, Iguanodontid indet. (nova espécie) +1
In 2015, a 9-ton sandstone block containing multiple Utahraptor fossils was excavated. The Doelling's Bowl site yielded a sauropod skeleton and a possible new iguanodontid species.
Dinosaur National Monument – Carnegie Quarry
Utah / Colorado, USA
Diplodocus longus, Stegosaurus stenops +2
In September 2025, construction work revealed new Diplodocus fossils near the Quarry Exhibit Hall, the first excavation at the site since 1924. Approximately 3,000 lbs of fossils recovered.
Horseshoe Canyon Formation
Alberta, Canada
Edmontosaurus regalis, Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis +1
Productive Late Cretaceous formation in Canada with continuous excavations by the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Pachyrhinosaurus and Edmontosaurus bonebeds regularly explored.
Patagotitan Site – La Flecha Farm
Chubut, Patagônia, Argentina
Patagotitan mayorum, Theropoda indet. (57 dentes)
Between 2013 and 2015, seven expeditions recovered over 200 fossils and at least six partial skeletons of Patagotitan mayorum, the largest known dinosaur, published in 2017.
Ischigualasto Formation (Valle de la Luna)
San Juan, Argentina
Eoraptor lunensis, Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis +2
UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2019, CONICET found Ingentia prima, the first Triassic giant, 30 million years earlier than expected. In 2025, new theropod Anteavis crurilongus was described.
Candeleros Formation – Neuquén Basin
Neuquén, Patagônia, Argentina
Giganotosaurus carolinii, Argentinosaurus huinculensis +1
In 2021, a giant titanosaur from the Candeleros Formation was reported that may exceed Patagotitan in size. The Neuquén area documents over 166 dinosaur footprints.
Huincul Formation – Plaza Huincul
Neuquén, Patagônia, Argentina
Meraxes gigas, Llukalkan aliocranianus +1
In 2022, Meraxes gigas, a new giant carcharodontosaurid, was described from this formation, with a 1.27 m skull and forelimb fragments.
General Roca Area – Northern Patagonia
Río Negro, Patagônia, Argentina
Chadititan calvoi
In March 2025, Chadititan calvoi, a new titanosaur of approximately 7 meters, was described from 432 fossils from 78-million-year-old rocks found in a quarry near General Roca.
Lo Hueco Site – Cuenca Province
Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Lohuecotitan pandafilandi, Eudromaeosauria indet. +1
Site discovered in 2007 during high-speed railway construction. Systematically excavated since. In 2023, a new dromaeosaurid from the site's collection was described.
Hațeg Basin – K2 Bonebed
Transilvânia, Hunedoara, Romania
Petrustitan hungaricus, Uriash kadici +2
In 2025, the K2 site yielded over 800 fossils in less than 5 m², the richest site documented in Romania. Two new island sauropod species (Petrustitan and Uriash) were published in the same year.
Lourinhã Formation
Estremadura, Oeste, Portugal
Torvosaurus gurneyi, Allosaurus europaeus +2
In April 2025, a new iguanodontian species from 150 million years ago was described from Lourinhã. Site holds the oldest known theropod embryos, with continuous active excavations.
Kem Kem Group
Errachidia / Tafilalet, sudeste, Morocco
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, Carcharodontosaurus saharicus +2
In 2018-2019, Nizar Ibrahim's team conducted systematic fieldwork, resulting in the 2020 monograph that officially renamed the beds as the Kem Kem Group and revised all known fauna. A partial Spinosaurus skeleton was found at Zrigat (~20 km north of Erfoud).
Ouled Abdoun Basin – Phosphate Mines
Khouribga, centro do Marrocos, Morocco
Taleta taleta (hadrosauro), Abelisauridae indet. (2 espécies) +1
In 2025, Taleta taleta, a new African hadrosaur from 66 Ma, was described. In 2023, two new abelisaurids were published from phosphate mine material. Largest record of latest Maastrichtian dinosaurs from Africa.
Bahariya Formation
Oásis de Bahariya, Deserto Ocidental, Egypt
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, Carcharodontosaurus saharicus +2
In 2016, a MUVP expedition to Bahariya Oasis recovered a well-preserved vertebra of a new large theropod, described in 2022. Site historically linked to Stromer's original Spinosaurus (1915).
Tendaguru Formation
Lindi, sul da Tanzânia, Tanzania
Giraffatitan brancai, Kentrosaurus aethiopicus +2
In December 2021, the British Council funded a five-year management plan (2022-2027) to protect the site. UNESCO World Heritage nomination in progress. New field campaigns resumed.
Elliot Formation – Karoo Basin
Eastern Cape / Free State / Lesotho, South Africa
Massospondylus carinatus, Ngwevu intloko +2
In 2019, Ngwevu intloko was described as a new genus, previously confused with Massospondylus. At least seven additional sauropodomorph species have been recognized. The world's richest Early Jurassic sauropodomorph record.
Yixian Formation – Jehol Biota
Liaoning, nordeste da China, China
Microraptor gui, Yutyrannus huali +3
In 2024, new cores collected near fossil localities in the Sihetun Sub-basin revealed unprecedented data on 3D preservation of feathered dinosaurs. Site that revolutionized dinosaur paleontology in the 1990s, with continuous scientific output.
Nanxiong Formation – Ganzhou
Jiangxi, sul da China, China
Huanansaurus ganzhouensis, Jiangxititan ganzhouensis +2
The Ganzhou region is exceptionally productive for Late Cretaceous oviraptorosaurs and titanosaurs. Asiatyrannus xui, a new tyrannosauroid, was found at a construction site in 2017 and published in 2023.
Nemegt Formation – Nemegt Basin
Ömnögovi (Gobi do Sul), Mongolia
Tarbosaurus bataar, Therizinosaurus cheloniformis +2
Annual expeditions led by Phil Currie and Eva Koppelhus in partnership with Mongolia's Institute of Paleontology since 2023. In 2025, a possibly complete juvenile Tarbosaurus skeleton was found.
Djadokhta Formation – Ukhaa Tolgod
Ömnögovi (Gobi do Sul), Mongolia
Velociraptor mongoliensis, Citipati osmolskae +2
One of the world's richest sites with over 1,000 skulls and skeletons collected. AMNH has sent expeditions nearly every summer since the Cold War's end. In 2018, a second Citipati specimen with nest was published.
Flaming Cliffs – Bayanzag
Ömnögovi (Gobi do Sul), Mongolia
Protoceratops andrewsi, Velociraptor mongoliensis +2
First dinosaur egg site discovered in the world (1922). In September 2025, a pachycephalosaur fossil was described as the oldest and most complete ever found, rewriting the group's evolutionary history.
Bissekty Formation – Dzharakuduk
Deserto de Kyzylkum, Navoi, Uzbekistan
Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis, Timurlengia euotica +1
In 2021, Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis, a giant carcharodontosaurid, was described from this formation, revealing that large theropods coexisted with tyrannosaur ancestors. One of the richest Turonian assemblages in Central Asia.
Winton Formation – Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Queensland, centro-oeste, Australia
Diamantinasaurus matildae, Savannasaurus elliottorum +2
The world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. In 2018-2020, the entire Snake Creek Tracksite was relocated to the museum. In 2024, 12 new Winton Formation sauropod specimens were described in a comprehensive study.
Lightning Ridge Fossil Fields
New South Wales, Australia
Fostoria dhimbangunmal, Weewarrasaurus pobeni +2
The world's only site with opalised dinosaurs. Since 2014, excavations described several new theropods including megaraptorids, carcharodontosaurids, and noasaurids. In 2019, four Fostoria skeletons were published.
James Ross Basin – Antarctic Peninsula
Ilha James Ross, Península Antártica, Antarctica
Morrosaurus antarcticus, Antarctopelta oliveroi +2
The most productive Antarctic site for dinosaurs. In 2015, Morrosaurus antarcticus was officially named. A recent expedition returned with over one ton of fossils including plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, and dinosaurs from 67-71 Ma. At least 5 taxonomic groups identified.
Lufeng Formation – Yunnan
Yunnan, sul da China, China
Lufengosaurus huenei, Yunnanosaurus robustus +1
Formation with the largest number of Early Jurassic sauropodomorphs in China. Recent histological analysis of Lufengosaurus bones revealed new data on metabolism and growth of early dinosaurs.
Hateg Basin – Pui and Sibişel Valley
Transilvânia, Hunedoara, Romania
Zalmoxes robustus, Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus +2
Beyond the K2 bonebed, the Pui and Sibișel valleys are separate active sites in the same basin. In December 2025, one of the densest dinosaur fossil sites ever recorded was published. Area studied by UCL researchers in collaboration with Romanian teams.
Laño Quarry – Basque Country
Condado de Treviño / Álava, Spain
Lirainosaurus astibiae, Abelisauridae indet. +2
One of the most diverse Campanian-Maastrichtian sites in Europe, with nearly 40 vertebrate species catalogued. Regular excavations by UPV. Important reference for Late Cretaceous fauna of southwestern Europe.
Aguja Formation – Big Bend
Texas, USA
Agujaceratops mariscalensis, Kritosaurus navajovius +2
Big Bend contains a unique Cretaceous fauna from the southern USA with South American faunal influence. Active excavations in the National Park. In 2021, new Alamosaurus specimens provided unprecedented data on the largest North American dinosaur.
Dinosaur Cove – Otway Group
Victoria, sudeste, Australia
Leaellynasaura amicagraphica, Atlascopcosaurus loadsi +1
Unique polar site for Early Cretaceous dinosaurs that lived at high Antarctic latitude (~70°S). Excavations blasted into coastal cliffs. In 2019, a taxonomic review based on new specimens was published by the Monash team.
Wukongopterus Formation – Jiufotang (Liaoning)
Liaoning, nordeste da China, China
Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, Bolong yixianensis +1
The Jiufotang Formation, immediately above the Yixian, produces exceptional Jehol Biota fossils. In 2025, new theropod teeth from the Jiufotang Formation were published with unprecedented dental morphology details.
Araripe Basin
CretaceousCeará / Pernambuco / Piauí, Nordeste, Brazil
Irritator challengeri, Oxalaia quilombensis +3
One of Brazil's richest fossiliferous formations, with exceptional Cretaceous records of pterosaurs, fish, crocodilians and dinosaurs, from the Santana and Crato formations.