In southwest Wyoming, 11-year-old Touraine Pope found a turtle fossil dated to about 48 million years old, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The boy was in the Green River basin with his grandparents collecting minerals when he noticed an unusual object among the rocks. Touraine immediately reported this discovery to the BLM. Experts evaluate its scientific significance and organize field research to record the location and preservation conditions of the fossil.
Eocene soft-shelled turtle
The fossil represents a nearly complete shell of a soft-shelled turtle, a member of the trionychid family. These turtles have a flat, flexible shell that is not completely attached to the lower body, which distinguishes them from the hard shells of other turtles. Modern trionychids have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, which suggests that ancient turtles lived in river and lake systems.
The rock layer where the turtle was found is about 50 million years old. The geological context shows that during the Eocene, the area was warm and wet, rich in rivers, streams and the remains of ancient Gosiut Lake, supporting a diverse fauna – from fish and crocodiles to mammals and turtles.
Excavation and work of experts
The BLM invited paleontologist JP Cavigelli of the Tate Geology Museum at Kasper College to recover the fossil. Excavation was carried out carefully: stones were removed layer by layer so as not to damage the shell.
During this process, an almost complete shell was discovered. The bones of the body, except for the shell, are not preserved. Once recovered, the fossil was transported to the Tate Museum of Geology, where volunteers began cleaning and preserving it. Soft brushes and special solutions are used to remove debris and stabilize the material. Work is done gradually so as not to destroy the delicate structure of the shell.
Photos released by the museum show the top and inside of the shell. For clarity, a small toy is placed nearby, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the find. The structure of the shell is well preserved, allowing scientists to study the structure and possible behavior of the turtle.
Touraine took an active part in the excavations and had the opportunity to name the turtle “Little Timmy”. The boy had long been interested in paleontology: his collection included a Tyrannosaurus rex tooth and the skull of a young predatory dinosaur; he kept his own notebook with drawings and notes about findings.
