Ashfall Fossil Beds is a working research site that is unique and invaluable to science.

What clues did researchers discover that provided a window into what happened at the fossil site so long ago? Based on depth of fossils in the ash, abnormal bone growth, and other factors, researchers have come up with a relative timeline for how animals small and large succumbed to the effects of the volcanic ash. 

Volunteer working on uncovering fossil at Ashfall fossil bed

Fossil Discovery Timeline

  1. 1991 - Rhinoceros, Teleoceras major

    First skeletons uncovered in the Rhino Barn

  2. 1992 - Rhinoceros, Teleoceras major

    Cow with calf positioned nose to nose

    Horse, Cormohipparion occidentale

    Remarkably complete skeleton

    Camel, Procamelus grandis

    Partial skeleton, discovered by Jennifer Tschirren

  3. 1993 - Rhinoceros, Teleoceras major

    First skeletons uncovered in Rhino Barn

  4. 1994 - Horse, Neohipparion

    Mare and foal

  5. 1995 - Rhinoceros, Teleoceras major

    Volunteer Norma Brockmoller discovers cow rhino skeleton that is dubbed "Brockie"

    Raccoon-dog, Cynarctus

    Jaw

  6. 1996 - Horse, Neohipparion

    Student Andria Skaff discovers fairly complete skeleton

  7. 1998 - Sabre-toothed deer, Longirostromeryx

    Students Amy Allison and Melissa Mestl discover skeleton and meticulously reveal evidence of soft tissue preservation (muscle in neck and leg, visceral content)

  8. 1999 - Raccoon-dog, Cynarctus

    Student Neil Gipson finds single tooth

    Horned rodent, Mylagaulus

    Sam Matson discovers fossil burrow in volcanic ash bed that is the right size for the horned rodent Mylagaulus. Sam also finds a milk tooth in the burrow hole.

  9. 2000 - Sabre-toothed deer, Longirostromeryx

    Partial skeleton