Beneath the vast prairies and rolling hills of southern Manitoba, a prehistoric world is waiting to be uncovered—and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) is about to break new ground like never before. This year, the museum is setting its sights on an untouched 18-acre dig site donated by Dave Lumgair, northwest of Thornhill. A place that could hold fossils as massive as "Bruce," the world’s largest mosasaur. With excavation set to begin, paleontologists and everyday explorers alike have a chance to be part of history in the making.
“For 50 years, we’ve never had the chance to dig in untouched land,” says Executive Director Adolfo Cuetara. “We've always been searching in former bentonite mines or agricultural land, but this new site contains untouched layers of sediment where major discoveries could be waiting.”
The site is near the original location where "Bruce" was found 50 years ago. Cuetara and his team are hopeful that the new land could hold fossils just as significant. “We are expecting to find things like Bruce or even a shark,” he adds.
Dig tours expected to begin this year
While preliminary trenching was done last year to assess the site, 2025 will mark the first real excavation efforts.
“This spring and early summer, we will be bulldozing some of the vegetation and clearing the top layers of soil,” Cuetara explains. “We believe the fossils are very accessible, and as soon as we find the first mosasaur, we’ll be bringing people there.”
With the promise of new discoveries, the CFDC anticipates drawing interest from paleontologists across Canada, including researchers from the University of Manitoba. “It’s a huge opportunity for them to bring students and study the sedimentology of the Manitoba Escarpment,” Cuetara says.
Free March admission for Morden and Stanley residents
In addition to the excitement around excavation, the CFDC is once again offering free admission throughout March to residents of the City of Morden and the RM of Stanley.
“This is a way to give back to the community,” Cuetara explains. “Both municipalities support us with operational funds, so we want to show our appreciation by inviting them to experience the museum at no cost.”
Beyond museum visits, residents also have the chance to participate in dig tours. Cuetara emphasizes the importance of locals engaging with the region’s rich prehistoric history.
“The Manitoba Escarpment is not just about science or discovering what existed 80 million years ago—it’s about understanding the history of this land and the people who have found fossils here for over a century,” he says.
Exciting discoveries await
For those who take part in CFDC’s dig tours, the experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Cuetara shares how visitors have made significant discoveries in the past.
“Last year, the very first dig tour of the season led to the discovery of a shark tooth,” he says. “It turned out to be from a previously unrecorded family of sharks in Manitoba. The woman who found it had no idea how special it was until our paleontologist from the University of Manitoba identified it.”
This kind of hands-on experience is what makes the CFDC’s dig tours so unique. “People expect to just search for fossils, but they end up helping us uncover entire skeletons,” Cuetara adds. “We leave some fossils in place so that visitors can make real discoveries themselves.”
With free admission for Morden and Stanley residents, new excavation efforts underway, and special events like the weaving workshop, there’s never been a better time to visit the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre.
For more information on upcoming dig tours and museum exhibits, visit Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre – Discover Fossils