The Cretaceous in Texas, US
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Paleontology and geology
The Cretaceous is well represented in Texas, shown on this map extending across much of the central state. During this time, seas rose and fell many times, causing the paleo-shoreline to migrate back and forth. This ancient shoreline is visible throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area and follows Interstate 35 south to San Antonio, then turns sharply west to the Big Bend Region and on into Mexico. Nearshore and coastal lowland conditions were ideal and vast communities of vertebrate faunas and floras thrived. Flowering plants, such as trees and grasses, emerged and began to spread. We find the earliest mammal fossils in Texas in Cretaceous rocks.
Links to more on the Cretaceous in Texas
Organizations | Education and Exhibits | Research and Collections | Resources
OrganizationsEducation and ExhibitsParks (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Dinosaur Valley State Park: Dinosaur Valley State Park, opened to the public in 1972, is located just northwest of Glen Rose in Somervell County, astride the Paluxy River. This park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.
Museums (showing 2 of 2 listings)
Mayborn Museum Complex, Waco, TX: The Mayborn Museum is the home of one of the oldest natural history collections in Texas. Once part of the Strecker Museum, the collection is now displayed as part of the Mayborn’s Waco at the Crossroads of Texas exhibits. These exhibits explore the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras in Central Texas and feature amazing fossil finds from the area including a plesiosaur and a 75 million year old marine turtle. The Mayborn also offers the only way to experience the internationally known Waco Mammoth Site, the world’s largest concentration of Columbian mammoths dying from a single event. The Waco Mammoth Site exhibit includes original casts of the fossils, video, and exploration stations. With something for everyone, the Mayborn is a must see for anyone interested paleontology, mammoths, or just the unique history of Central Texas.
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is a leader in informal science education and provides hundreds of programs aimed at engaging children and families in learning. DinoDig® combines life-sized representations of dinosaurs with a large outdoor discovery area where visitors can become amateur paleontologists and dig for dinosaur bones. There is also a permanent exhibit of Texas dinosaurs featuring several mounted specimens.
Research and CollectionsPhysical Exhibits (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Lone Star Dinosaurs: Exhibit overview and excavation photo albums of seven dinosaurs discovered in Texas, six of the dinosaurs are currently featured in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's Lone Star Dinosaurs exhibit.
ResourcesOngoing Research Projects (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Fossils of North Central Texas: This website by an amateur collector in the Dallas-Fort Worth area includes fossils, maps, and trip pictures, as well as information on formations, geology, and more.
Image Collections (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Texas Fossils: A collection of fossils, found in Hood Co., Jack Co., Fannin Co., and surrounding areas with over 200 specimens.
