Como Bluff, Paleontological site in Albany County, Wyoming.
Como Bluff is a long ridge in Carbon County, Wyoming, made up of exposed layers of the Sundance and Morrison geological formations that date to the Late Jurassic period. The ridge runs between the towns of Rock River and Medicine Bow and holds fossil remains from many dinosaur species across its rock strata.
Researchers first explored Como Bluff in the late 1800s after discovering its dense fossil deposits, and fourteen quarries were eventually opened across the site. The rivalry between competing paleontologists working here became so fierce that this period is now known as the Bone Wars.
Como Bluff is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a National Natural Landmark, two distinctions that reflect how much this site changed the study of ancient life. Visitors walking along the ridge can see exposed rock layers that still hold fossil fragments close to the surface.
The site is in a remote area with few facilities nearby, so bringing enough water and supplies before arriving is a good idea. Weather at this elevation can shift quickly, and sturdy footwear helps when walking over uneven rocky ground.
A small cabin near the site was built in 1932 using over 5,700 dinosaur bones collected from this ridge, making it one of the few buildings in the world constructed entirely from fossils. The bones were stacked and mortared like bricks to form the walls.
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