Archive · 28 Sep 2025
50-Foot Fossil Predator Found in New Jersey Beneath Shopping Center
Imagine a giant museum in New Jersey, built on top of an old quarry.
This quarry has amazing fossils from millions of years ago!
Scientists found bones of giant sea monsters called mosasaurs, which were like the T-Rex of the sea, growing up to 50 feet long.
These creatures lived in warm, shallow seas that covered the area.
The site is located in a layer that shows when the dinosaurs died out!
Visitors can now dig for fossils, take tours, and learn about what the world was like before humans.
A fossil site, the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, is located in Mantua Township, New Jersey.
The site sits atop the 'extinction layer,' dating back to the end of the age of dinosaurs.
Scientists have uncovered over 100,000 fossils, including mosasaurs.
Mosasaur remains give insights into the pre-extinction marine life.
The public can participate in fossil digs at the museum.
- Who
- Geologists, paleontologists, and Dr. Kenneth Lacovara
- What
- Uncovered fossils of marine life, including mosasaurs, at a site in New Jersey.
- When
- The fossil site existed for many years but became the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, opening in March 2025. The extinction layer is from 66 million years ago.
- Where
- Mantua Township, New Jersey, under a former quarry
- Why
- To study marine biodiversity, understand the end of the Cretaceous period, and provide a public science and education facility.
- Location
- Mantua Township, New Jersey
- Fossil Park Name
- Edelman Fossil Park & Museum
- Opening Date
- March 2025
- Key Fossils
- Mosasaur bones and other marine life
- Extinction Layer
- Marks the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods
- Address
- 66 Million Mosasaur Way