Released on October 13, 1995
Municipal Government Minister Ed Tchorzewski said today the excavationof the Tyrannosaurus rex fossil in the Frenchman River Valley is
complete.
In the last few weeks, the remaining bones, embedded in ironstone, were
isolated into blocks, undercut and jacketed with plaster. Today, the
last and largest of the Tyrannosaurus rex bone blocks was placed on a
stone boat and dragged by tractor to a flat bed truck where a crane
lifted it and placed it beside three smaller bone blocks. The truck
then transported the blocks to the Eastend Fossil Research Station, a
facility operated by the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the Eastend
Community Tourism Authority.
The large bone block contained most of the Tyrannosaurus rex skull
while the smaller bone blocks contained the lower jaw, thighbone and a
miscellaneous assortment of bones.
"Today's operation caps a long and strenuous excavation that took
almost two years to complete," Tchorzewski said.
"I extend my appreciation and thanks to the more than 25 volunteers who
helped at the quarry and the numerous volunteers and businesses from
the Community of Eastend. I would also like to thank Canadian Pacific
Railway which donated the use of its crane and MJB Contractors of
Eastend for providing a truck to transport the bone blocks to the
Eastend Fossil Research Station."
While the excavation is complete, the detailed work of removing the
rock from the bones can be viewed by the public at the Eastend Research
Station in the coming months.
"Educational programs for people of all ages will continue at the field
station," Tchorzewski said. "A first for this area will be an
educational geology workshop, to be held later this month, for science
teachers to learn more about its geology and palaeontology and to use
this knowledge to help with their teaching programs."
Pre-production is also currently under way for the IMAX film, T-rex:
Journey to its Lost World, while shooting is planned for late October
and early November. "Scotty" the T-rex, and the Frenchman River Valley
will be prominently featured in the film.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Maureen Boyle
Communications
Municipal Government
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5959