Nebraska's Highway Paleontology Program

 

Did you know camels once roamed Nebraska? Or that instead of the open prairies we know today, much of the state was covered with forests—and the climate was warm, even subtropical in some areas? Paleontologists from the University of Nebraska State Museum (UNSM) have been able to paint a vivid picture of what life was like 14 million years ago, thanks to a unique partnership with the NDOT.

 

Early Efforts

 

NDOT’s commitment to preserving archaeological sites dates back nearly a century. Even before formal laws existed, district engineers and construction crews with an interest in history encouraged contractors to protect items of historical or geological significance found during construction. Early records note that fossils uncovered during highway construction—such as bones of Ice Age mammals like mammoths, bison, horses, and camels—were documented, collected, and sometimes donated to museums or universities.

 

Legally, protection of fossils during highway construction began with the 1906 American Antiquities Act. By the 1930s, NDOT highway specifications required contractors to report fossil finds. These early measures reflected a growing awareness that construction could uncover scientifically significant materials that deserved protection.

 

In the 1940s, NDOT district engineer Tom Middlestewart built on this foundation, recognizing the importance of actively safeguarding fossils uncovered during construction. His advocacy—combined with Nebraska’s growing reputation as a fossil-rich state—laid the groundwork for a formal preservation effort.

 

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 provided funding for paleontological protection, setting the stage for Nebraska’s formal program. In 1959, the Nebraska Legislature passed a law authorizing NDOT to recover and preserve archaeological, paleontological, and historical materials discovered during construction (Nebraska Revised Statute 39-1363), ensuring that important finds would be protected rather than lost to progress.

 

One year later, NDOT partnered with UNSM to establish the Highway Paleontology Program, the first program of its kind in the nation. The program operates under NDOT’s broader Highway Cultural Resources Program, which also coordinates archaeological preservation through Nebraska’s Highway Archaeology Program (NHAP), part of the NSHS State Archeology Office (SAO).

 

Together, these partnerships set the standard for highway-related scientific discovery and preservation—ensuring that Nebraska’s infrastructure development also contributes to our understanding of both ancient life and human history.

 

The Program Today 

 

Nebraska remains one of only a few states with a dedicated highway paleontology program. "Life in the Past Lane", an exhibit at UNL’s Morrill Hall, showcases a glimpse of the more than 200,000 fossils recovered, as well as 35 new species discovered thanks to the program. 

 

“I’m so proud of it,” said George Corner of the Highway Paleontology Program, who began as one of the museum’s highway paleontologists in 1972. “Preserving our history is important. Fossils reveal incredible stories about ancient life—how climate, landscapes, and species evolved. Animals we know today, like horses and bears, were once much smaller. How did they become what they are now? These discoveries help explain who we are and where we came from.”

 

Nebraska is rich in fossils thanks to its unique geology and location near the Rockies and ancient river systems, where animals were buried and preserved over time. Highway construction often exposes fossils that would otherwise remain hidden. Because less than one percent of bones survive the fossilization process, each discovery offers a rare and exciting glimpse into the past.

 

For NDOT road crews, contractors, and museum paleontologists, these finds are more than chance encounters—they are the first humans to see these ancient remains, turning construction work into a journey of scientific discovery.

 

“NDOT has been incredible stewards of the land,” said Shane Tucker, UNSM highway paleontologist. “The cooperation between our teams has allowed us to preserve science without ever slowing down highway construction. That level of commitment and collaboration is something we’re all very proud of.”

 

Before NDOT begins construction, museum paleontologists review plans and examine roadcuts to pinpoint areas where fossils might surface. From gravel pits to highway cuts, heavy machinery sometimes uncovers extraordinary treasures: the teeth of a saber-toothed cat, a six-million-year-old giant tortoise shell, or the skull of a newly discovered species of beaver.

 

“As a scientist myself, I find this a fascinating aspect of what we do,” said Jason Jurgens, NDOT Highway Environmental Manager. “Humans are naturally curious, and the Highway Paleontology Program allows us to build the future while educating people of all ages about Nebraska’s scientific heritage. It connects people in two powerful ways—through the roads we travel and the ancient stories we're still discovering beneath them.”

 

NDOT also funded 3-D scanning technology for the museum, allowing fossils to be digitally replicated for education and shared with paleontologists worldwide. Paleontology and archaeology considerations are also integrated into NDOT’s NEPA process, demonstrating the agency’s continued commitment to protecting Nebraska’s past.

 

“It’s very comforting to know Shane and his team are available when we need them,” said Khalil Jaber, NDOT Deputy Director of Engineering. As a former NDOT field engineer in Bridgeport, Jaber recalled hearing stories of fossil discoveries early in his career. “I knew right away this program was important to the employees. It provides opportunities to access previously unreachable fossil locations and helps us protect pieces of Nebraska’s history that might otherwise be lost forever. By preserving Nebraska’s past, we learn how to navigate our future.”

 

   

 

 

  

 

Check out this Nebraska Public Media video following paleontologists as they dig along Nebraska’s highways, uncovering new clues about our state’s prehistoric past.