Hubbard Rhino Barn Construction Gallery

Soil testing began in late November 2007.

Soil testing in November 2008.

Excavation of footing trenches began in June 2008.

Excavation of footing trench for the north wall of the new rhino barn.

Excavation for the footings was done by hand instead of heavy equipment so new fossil finds would not be damaged. Digging continued through June 2008.

Excavating waterhole sand below the volcanic ash.

Footing pads on side walls are 6 feet by 9 feet and 6 to 9 feet deep.

The upper 2-3 feet is volcanic ash, the lower bedding is waterhole sand.

University of Nebraska State Museum Vertebrate Paleontologist Mike Voorhies prepares a field jacket near a fossil burrow.

Abundant fossils from scavenged skeletons were encountered in the west trench.

The pit crew.

Ben holds an Oreodont jaw found in waterhole sand.

Mike outlines a horse rib.

Field jackets protect ash fossils in the west trench.

A partial skeleton and skull of a rare raccoon dog and first snake skeleton were major finds in late summer 2008.

Preparing for construction of the new rhino barn.

Mike Voorhies oversees late summer activity.

After a summer of digging, footings are formed for the new foundation.

A small excavator assisted with lime hardened sandstone.

A Ready Mix pump truck fills footings and pads.

A temporary roof will protect the fossil bed while the original rhino barn is dismantled.

A temporary roof will protect the fossil bed while the original rhino barn is dismantled.

Rick Otto works on a temporary roof that will protect the fossil bed during construction.

A view of the construction.

The former Rhino Barn is dismantled.

The former Rhino Barn is dismantled.

The former Rhino Barn is dismantled.

The former Rhino Barn is dismantled.

The former Rhino Barn is dismantled.

A view of the new structure.