When you picture dinosaur fossils, vast deserts or sun-baked badlands might spring to mind. But nestled in a tranquil stretch of forest in northern Alberta, Canada, lies one of the world’s richest dinosaur graveyards—*the Pipestone Creek bone bed*.

This fascinating site is packed with tens of thousands of bones, all belonging to the peculiar horned dinosaur known as *Pachyrhinosaurus*. What's the story behind this burial ground, and why did so many of these creatures perish simultaneously? Turns out, an exciting investigation shines new light on the mystery, featured in the latest episode of the iconic BBC series, *Walking With Dinosaurs*, making a much-anticipated return after two decades.

We caught up with Professor Emily Bamforth, a palaeontologist at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Alberta, who sheds light on her groundbreaking research involving *Pachyrhinosaurus* and the use of cutting-edge technology to unravel the catastrophic event that led to the death of an entire herd.

Meet the Pachyrhinosaurus: The Horned Wonder!

Though not yet a household name, *Pachyrhinosaurus* is a captivating member of the ceratopsian family, often overshadowed by the more famous *Triceratops*. Professor Bamforth describes it as a smaller, older cousin: "Instead of boasting a prominent nose horn like *Triceratops*, these unique dinosaurs featured a massive bony structure known as a 'boss'. No other horned dinosaur shares this distinctive feature!"

Three recognized species of *Pachyrhinosaurus* have been discovered, all hailing from the northern latitudes, including parts of Alaska and Canada. These colossal dinosaurs could grow over 6 meters (20 feet) long and weigh upwards of two tonnes, migrating in enormous 'megaherds' comprising thousands of individuals—a sight reminiscent of today’s caribou migrations, but on a far grander scale!

A Catastrophic Mystery Unfolds

With such a staggering concentration of fossils, a crucial question arises: what could have caused such mass death? According to Professor Bamforth, the tragic tale of this *Pachyrhinosaurus* herd revolves around a cataclysmic event: "They all died at once due to an extraordinary phenomenon that wiped out almost every member—young and old alike." This devastating incident took place around 72 million years ago, well before the infamous asteroid that led to the downfall of the dinosaurs.

Bamforth proposes that a disastrous flooding event likely claimed their lives—possibly triggered by intense monsoon rains or even a hurricane-like storm sweeping inland, akin to the massive flash floods we see today. This event buried the herd in a matter of moments, preserving a detailed snapshot of these remarkable creatures.

Interestingly, the tragedy didn’t just benefit scientists; evidence suggests that nearby theropods, including *Albertosaurus* and smaller raptors, swooped in to scavenge the remains, creating a feast of dinosaur bones!

Rich Insights from an Unprecedented Fossil Find

Uncovering a single dinosaur skeleton is already a rarity, but discovering thousands clustered in one spot is virtually unheard of! This remarkable find allows scientists to explore questions that are typically out of reach in the field of dinosaur paleontology.

"Typically, we’d be lucky to find a dozen fossils, but the sheer abundance here gives us an unparalleled opportunity to study intraspecific variation—the natural differences among individuals of the same species," explains Bamforth. Just as no two humans are identical, the *Pachyrhinosaurus* likely possessed diverse sizes, traits, and behaviors. Professor Bamforth's team is particularly drawn to the distinctive frills atop their skulls, which appear to exhibit unique variations.

"We’re realizing that each *Pachyrhinosaurus* sported slightly different frills, potentially aiding in herd recognition among individuals," she adds.

The Evolution of Paleontology

Since the original *Walking With Dinosaurs* aired in 1999, the field of paleontology has transformed dramatically, with Pipestone Creek revealing just one layer of the myriad secrets our prehistoric world still holds.

"The focus has shifted from simply discovering dinosaurs to truly understanding their relationship with their ancient environment. Thanks to advancements in technology and a renewed public interest in dinosaurs, the field is evolving at an explosive pace," states Bamforth.

*Pipestone Creek* serves as a poignant reminder that even after 72 million years, the dinosaur kingdom has countless mysteries waiting to be uncovered!