A 12-year-old boy from Kansas has made a remarkable paleontological discovery, unearthing an 80-million-year-old marine fossil during a youth program field trip. Corbin Bullard, now aged 12, was participating in a 4-H club outing in Jewell County last September when he stumbled upon the ancient remains.
Discovery of the Tylosaurus
The fossil, identified as a tylosaurus—a type of mosasaur, or large marine reptile—was found when Corbin was just 11 years old. These creatures once swam in the vast inland sea that covered what is now Kansas during the Cretaceous period. Corbin's mother, Wendy Bullard, recalled the moment of discovery, noting that her son's excited exclamation drew attention to several large vertebrae protruding from the ground.
Excavation and Preservation
It took three separate trips to fully excavate the 15-foot-long fossil, which was ultimately extracted in eight pieces. Since then, Corbin has dedicated at least 30 hours to cleaning and preparing the specimen for display. The young fossil hunter plans to showcase his findings at the Sedgwick County Fair in July, offering the public a glimpse into prehistoric life.
This discovery highlights the educational value of programs like 4-H, which provide hands-on learning opportunities for young people. Corbin's dedication to paleontology serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that significant scientific contributions can come from unexpected places.
