The Prehistoric Jackpot: Why Dinosaur Fossils Were Found Behind a Lowe’s in New Jersey
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Mantua Township NJ, When you think of dinosaur discovery, dusty deserts and remote landscapes probably come to mind. But in Mantua Township, New Jersey, one of the most remarkable prehistoric finds in the country was made in an unlikely place: a quarry tucked right behind a suburban shopping center.
The Garden State has always had a surprising connection to dinosaurs. The first dinosaur fossil, the Hadrosaurus, was discovered in Haddonfield NJ and gave birth to Paleontology It’s also where the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton was unearthed in 1858 and the home of the first recognized Tyrannosaur, the Dryptosaurus. Now, the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University is carrying on that legacy, proving that a major discovery can happen anywhere—even in the middle of a bustling community.
A Fossil Goldmine Just a Stone’s Throw from Suburbia
For 18 years, world-renowned paleontologist Dr. Kenneth Lacovara has been quietly working in the Mantua quarry near his childhood home. He has traveled the globe searching for ancient history, but his most astonishing finds came from this very site. The quarry has yielded over 100,000 fossils from more than 100 species, offering a unique window into what life was like at the end of the dinosaur age.
In March, the site officially opened to the public as the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum. Now, visitors can get their hands dirty and dig for real fossils, explore immersive exhibits, and discover the important connections between prehistoric history and our own future.
Dr. Lacovara, who has received the Explorers Club Medal (an honor shared with Neil Armstrong and Jane Goodall) and whose TED Talk has been viewed millions of times, believes the park’s mission is about more than just science. It’s about making history accessible and inspiring a new generation to become engaged with the world around them.
Why This Discovery Matters
What makes the Mantua fossil park so extraordinary is its accessibility. Unlike other hidden dig sites, this prehistoric treasure is open to everyone. It allows visitors to step onto the same ground where scientists are unearthing new discoveries, transforming the story of dinosaurs from a distant concept in textbooks into a tangible, hands-on experience. This project proves that amazing things can be found in the most unexpected places.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
