The Camarasaurus excavation documented here took place at Red Canyon Ranch near Shell, Wyoming in 2007 under the direction of paleontologist Bob Simon. The quarry lay within Jurassic strata of the Morrison Formation, a unit well known for preserving large sauropod dinosaurs.

The specimen proved to be an unusually complete individual, exceeding ninety percent preservation. Several bones showed healed trauma, indicating the animal survived significant injuries during life. Pathological evidence of this type provides rare insight into sauropod biology beyond skeletal structure alone.

Fieldwork extended for approximately two months. The excavation exposed the skeleton through controlled removal of matrix, stabilization of fragile elements, mapping of bone positions, and plaster jacketing for transport.

My primary role was hands-on excavation of the specimen throughout the duration of the quarry work. Photographs and video were taken as part of documenting the ongoing recovery process, but the majority of time was spent uncovering, stabilizing, and assisting in removal of the fossil material. I also provided explanations of the excavation procedures to visiting groups, including geology students associated with the project.

Following recovery and preparation, the specimen was transferred to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Japan, where it contributes to a mounted representation of a Jurassic sauropod skeleton.

This archive preserves the excavation process itself — not only the specimen — recording how the animal was recovered from the rock in the field.