ReportWire

Tag: fossil hunters

  • Discover some of DC’s coolest hidden fossils (and make some of your own) in Mitchell Park – WTOP News

    Discover some of DC’s coolest hidden fossils (and make some of your own) in Mitchell Park – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax hiked over to the Kalorama area with a can of Play-Doh and some plastic wrap, where he not only uncovered some of D.C.’s coolest hidden fossils, but also got a chance to mold his own ancient souvenirs.

    This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
    In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.

    Discover some of DC’s coolest hidden fossils (and make your own) in Mitchell Park

    There’s not usually much activity in Northwest D.C.’s serene Mitchell Park. But did you know the rocky exterior wall holding the park’s hill in place at the corner of 23rd and S streets used to be teeming with prehistoric life?

    In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax hiked near the Kalorama neighborhood with a can of Play-Doh and some plastic wrap, where he not only uncovered some of D.C.’s coolest hidden fossils, but also got a chance to mold his own ancient souvenirs.

    It’s Matt’s latest adventure in a series of fantastic journeys with D.C.’s resident “Fossil Hunter,” Chris Barr.

    A lawyer by day for a big D.C. firm, Barr also has a background in geology and dabbles in paleontology, in his quest to uncover all of the locations of what he calls “D.C.’s accidental museum of paleontology.”

    Barr started cataloging all the hidden fossil locations of D.C. on his website back in the early 2000s. Although he shut down his blog a few years ago, you can still find an archived version of the website (and detailed descriptions of D.C.’s secret fossil spots) online. 

    Previously on “Matt About Town,” Matt and Chris have explored:

    Come along on this journey, where Matt and Chris explore some of the most visually stunning public fossils of this miniseries yet!

    Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM! 

    If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on Instagram and TikTok.

    Check out all “Matt About Town” episodes here!

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Kaufax

    Source link

  • Dinosaurs at the Zoo? Come fossil hunting among some scaly friends! – WTOP News

    Dinosaurs at the Zoo? Come fossil hunting among some scaly friends! – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    In the latest edition of Matt About Town, WTOP’s Matt Kaufax slithered over to the Smithsonian National Zoo, where he found more than meets the eye at the Reptile House.

    This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
    In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.

    Dinosaurs at the Zoo? Come fossil hunting among some scaly friends!

    Did you know there are hidden fossils from the time of the dinosaurs buried at the Smithsonian National Zoo?

    In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax slithered over to the zoo — where he found there is more than meets the eye at the Reptile House.

    The fossils at the zoo aren’t a part of any planned exhibit. They don’t have signs indicating where they are located. In fact, not many people (including some who work at the zoo itself) have any idea they’re there!

    Built in 1931, a uniquely ornate portico marks the entrance to the zoo’s Reptile House. Above the door, a stegosaurus dinosaur mural welcomes guests as they enter through the building’s domed archway.

    That’s where, if you look to your left or right, you might see pillars made of a certain red limestone — which hold prehistoric remains … if you look closely enough.

    To find these fossils, Matt enlisted the help of D.C.’s resident “fossil hunter,” Christopher Barr.

    By day, Barr is a lawyer at a firm in the District. But at night, he dons his Indiana Jones-style fedora and explores what he calls “D.C.’s accidental museum of paleontology.”

    Barr’s background in paleontology and geology from his time in school is what fuels his side hobby. From the early 2000s, he’s been documenting hidden fossils in the D.C. area, and has amassed an entire fossil library on his online blog.

    While his website has been inactive for a few years, Barr is in the process of getting things back up and running with updated locations. In the meantime, you can find the archived site with all of Barr’s work (and all of DC’s hidden fossil spots) here.

    Matt and Chris’ journey over to the National Zoo was their fourth adventure fossil hunting together in D.C. You can watch previous installments of Matt’s “Fossil Hunters” mini series below, where he and Chris explored:

    Hidden fossils in steps leading up to the Lincoln Memorial.

    Prehistoric remains in floor of the MLK Jr. Memorial gift shop at the Tidal Basin.

    And fossils in the floors, the walls and even the bathrooms of D.C.’s National Gallery of Art.

    Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM! 

    If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on Instagram and TikTok.

    Check out all “Matt About Town” episodes here!

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Kaufax

    Source link