NEW METHODS IN PALEONTOLOGY: GPR MAPPING AND EXCAVATION OF A TITANOSAURID (DINOSAURIA: SAUROPODA) BONEBED IN BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

The purpose of this project is to develop a practical application of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for the science of paleontology. To accomplish this goal, researchers from the Dallas Museum of Natural History (DMNH) and the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) have conducted a GPR survey of a titanosaurid (Dinosauria:Sauropoda) bonebed in the Upper Cretaceous Javelina Formation of Big Bend National Park. The survey data of the fossil quarry were analyzed for subsurface anomalies. Large density variations in the subsurface were plotted as anomalies. These anomalies were then plotted onto maps of the quarry in an effort to help excavation teams locate vertebrate fossil material within the quarry. The GPR enhanced maps were applied to the excavation of an adult titanosaurid quarry in the fall of 2001 field season by UTD field teams. Subsurface anomalies were investigated using the GPR enhanced maps, four of six anomalies were excavated. Of the four anomalies, three produced large concretions, one a large vertebrate fossil. This process is a useful tool in assisting paleontological field teams search and locate fossils at known vertebrate fossil quarries.