Archaeology & Paleontology in South Dakota

Archaeology | Paleontology | Museums

The world's most famous dinosaur -- "Sue," the gigantic T-rex at Chicago's Field Museum -- was discovered in South Dakota. Our Badlands National Park contains some of the world's richest Oligocene fossil beds, and archaeological sites across the state offer clues about early societies. If you've got the itch to dig, join one of our real-life excavations.

South Dakota Organizations hosting digs this summer:

Archaeological Research Center, Rapid City
605-394-1936
www.sdsmt.edu/wwwsarc

The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs
605-745-6017
www.mammothsite.com

Museum of Geology, Rapid City
605-394-2467
www.sdsmt.edu/services/museum

Other South Dakota Organizations:

Archeodome and Prehistoric Indian Village, Mitchell
605-996-5473
www.mitchellindianvillage.org

Black Hills National Forest
605-673-2251
www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/

US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, NE
402-221-3070 or 605-224-5862
www.nwo.usace.army.mil