11-Year-Old Rock Hunter Discovers 48-Million-Year-Old Turtle Fossil

Touren Pope's chance find in Wyoming will be studied and displayed at the Tate Geological Museum.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An 11-year-old Nevada native named Touren Pope was visiting his grandparents in Wyoming when he stumbled upon a remarkable discovery - a 48-million-year-old fossilized turtle shell. Pope reported the find to authorities, and paleontologists from the Tate Geological Museum excavated and collected the well-preserved specimen, which they have named "Little Timmy." The fossil will now be prepared for research and eventual public display.

Why it matters

This chance discovery by a young rockhounding enthusiast highlights the rich paleontological history of the Greater Green River Basin in Wyoming, which was once a tropical floodplain teeming with diverse plant and animal life millions of years ago. The fossil will provide valuable insights for scientists studying the evolution of turtles and the ancient ecosystem of the region.

The details

While out hunting for rocks with his grandparents, Touren Pope spotted what he initially thought was just a "weird rock." Upon closer inspection, he realized it was actually a remarkably well-preserved fossilized turtle shell dating back nearly 48 million years. The area where the fossil was found was once a lush tropical floodplain supporting a variety of plant and animal life, including the ancient soft-shelled turtle species that the shell belonged to.

  • In the fall of 2025, Touren Pope discovered the fossil while rockhounding with his grandparents in Wyoming.
  • In September 2025, paleontologists from the Tate Geological Museum excavated and collected the fossil.

The players

Touren Pope

An 11-year-old Nevada native who discovered the 48-million-year-old fossilized turtle shell while rockhounding with his grandparents in Wyoming.

Tate Geological Museum

The museum in Casper, Wyoming that will prepare the fossil for research and eventual public display.

JP Cavigelli

A museum collections specialist at the Tate Geological Museum who helped excavate and collect the fossil.

Craig Thomas

An archaeologist and paleontology field coordinator at the Rock Springs Field Office who assisted with the fossil excavation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'[T]his weird rock that I thought I just wanted to throw … up into the air,'”

— Touren Pope (Wyoming Public Radio)

“'Let's say you were experienced in looking at softshell turtles in Florida or Louisiana, and you came out here, time traveled, went back 50 million years—you would be able to say, 'That is a softshell turtle,'”

— JP Cavigelli, museum collections specialist, Tate Geological Museum (Wyoming Public Radio)

“'If we don't find them in time, they tend to degrade rapidly when they reach the surface,'”

— Craig Thomas, archaeologist and paleontology field coordinator, Rock Springs Field Office (Wyoming Public Radio)

What’s next

The fossil will be cleaned and prepared for research and eventual display at the Tate Geological Museum.

The takeaway

This chance discovery by a young rockhounding enthusiast highlights the rich paleontological history of Wyoming and the importance of protecting and studying such rare fossil finds, which can provide invaluable insights into the ancient ecosystems and evolution of life on Earth.