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Dinosaur Provincial Park

Canada
Date of Inscription: 1979
Criteria: (vii)(viii)
Property : 7493.0000 ha
N50 46 4 W111 29 32
Ref: 71

Brief Description

In addition to its particularly beautiful scenery, Dinosaur Provincial Park – located at the heart of the province of Alberta's badlands – contains some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made from the 'Age of Reptiles', in particular about 35 species of dinosaur, dating back some 75 million years.

Dinosaur Provincial Park | Kevin Saff © Kevin Saff More pictures ...

Statement of Significance

Dinosaur Provincial Park contains some of the most important fossil specimens discovered from the "Age of Dinosaurs" period of Earth's history.  The property is unmatched in terms of the number and variety of high quality specimens, over 60 of which represent more than 45 genera and 14 families of dinosaurs, which date back 75-77 million years.  The park contains exceptional riparian habitat features as well as "badlands" of outstanding aesthetic value.

Criteria

(vii)       Dinosaur Provincial Park is an outstanding example of major geological processes and fluvial erosion patterns in semi-arid steppes.  These "badlands" stretch along 24 kilometers of high quality and virtually undisturbed riparian habitat, presenting a landscape of stark, but exceptional natural beauty.

(viii)       The property is outstanding in the number and variety of high quality specimens representing every known group of Cretaceous dinosaurs.  The diversity affords excellent opportunities for paleontology that is both comparative and chronological.  Over 300 specimens from the Oldman Formation in the park including more than 150 complete skeletons now reside in more than 30 major museums.

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