Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
brief exploration of the rock layers exposed around Auca Mahuida at
the end of a field season to central Argentina. The goal of our initial
expedition was not to find skeletons or eggs of large dinosaurs, but
rather to search for the delicate fossil bones of the birds and their
dinosaurian relatives that inhabited Patagonia near the end of the
Mesozoic. Instead, Luis and his crew discovered some fossil bones of
giant, plant-eating sauropods, as well as fragmentary remains of other
dinosaurs and creatures that had lived with them. Even though no
fossil birds were found, the rocks of this region looked promising and
deserved more of our attention. This short foray into the region
around Auca Mahuida proved crucial to our later success in that we
gathered important information about the rocks of the area and
identified where we could find water, food, and shelter. We also
began to familiarize ourselves with the roads and tracks that might
allow us to gain access to promising outcrops.
After returning from the 1996 trip, we decided to organize another
expedition in 1997. This field trip would include a more extensive,
monthlong exploration of the Auca Mahuida area with a larger crew.
Our initial goal was the same as that of the previous year: to find the
remains of ancient birds and the small, meat-eating theropod
dinosaurs that are closely related to them. But even if we didn't find
any birds, we knew that a more complete collection of the ancient ani-
mals from this region, as well as a thorough study of its rocks, could
enhance our understanding of the age of these birds and the ecosys-
tem they had inhabited.
As with all expeditions, numerous challenges faced us before we
could embark. We had to draw up detailed plans and make agree-
ments with the governments and paleontologic institutions in the
areas where we hoped to work. We also needed to find funding for
tents and other camping gear, cooking equipment, food, drinks, col-
lecting tools and materials, renting and maintaining vehicles, and air-
line tickets.
Suzi Zetkus and Luis took charge of flight arrangements, buying
supplies, and renting our vehicles. This was an enormous job. Suzi vol-
unteers countless hours of her leisure time to tour visitors at the Amer-
ican Museum of Natural History. In addition, she has participated in
several paleontological expeditions both for the museum in New
York and for other institutions. She served expertly as our expedition
