Drumheller, Paleontology center in Alberta, Canada
Drumheller is a settlement in the Red Deer River valley, surrounded by the wide erosion landscapes of the Alberta Badlands. Streets run along the riverbank while hills of layered sedimentary rock rise all around, shimmering in shades of gray, brown, and red.
A settlement emerged here in the early 20th century after an entrepreneur acquired the land and rich coal deposits were soon discovered. Over the following decades, the place grew into an important mining center until extraction gradually declined after World War II.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum houses one of the world's most extensive collections of fossilized remains from the age of dinosaurs, drawing researchers and visitors from across continents. Inside the exhibition halls, you can view skeletons unearthed from the surrounding rock layers, and many families spend entire afternoons exploring the prehistoric displays.
Access is by road through flat grassland before descending into the river valley; the drive from Calgary takes around an hour and a half. Those exploring on foot should wear sturdy shoes, as trails in the badlands can be rocky and uneven.
A giant dinosaur figure stands at the edge of town, visible from afar and often used as a photo subject. The sculpture recalls that numerous fossils from the Cretaceous period were found in this area, now on display in collections around the world.
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