In the grasslands of eastern Wyoming lies a formation that helped build some of the world’s great dinosaur collections. The Lance Formation preserves the same final dinosaur world as Montana’s Hell Creek, and it has been producing remarkable specimens since the 1880s. For collectors, Lance Formation fossils offer Triceratops, Edmontosaurus, T. rex and more, with a rich scientific history behind every find.
Where and when: the Lance Formation
The Lance Formation is named after Lance Creek in Niobrara County, eastern Wyoming, where many of its most famous fossils were found. Its rocks date to the very end of the Cretaceous, roughly 69 to 66 million years ago.
The Lance and Hell Creek formations formed at the same time on the same broad coastal plain, east of the rising Rocky Mountains. Geologists treat them as close equivalents, so the dinosaurs found in each are largely the same.
A formation that made dinosaur history
The Lance Formation was one of the great fossil fields of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Hatcher’s horned dinosaurs. From 1889, collector John Bell Hatcher, working for Yale’s O.C. Marsh, recovered dozens of horned dinosaur skulls here. They shaped the scientific understanding of Triceratops.
- Torosaurus. Marsh named this giant-frilled horned dinosaur in 1891 from Lance Formation fossils.
- The “dinosaur mummy”. In 1908, the Sternberg family found an Edmontosaurus with impressions of its skin preserved. It is now in the American Museum of Natural History.
- Thescelosaurus. This small plant-eating dinosaur was first described in 1913 from a Lance Formation skeleton.
Dinosaurs of the Lance Formation
| Dinosaur | Type | What collectors find |
|---|---|---|
| Triceratops | Horned dinosaur | Teeth, horn and frill fragments, bones |
| Torosaurus | Horned dinosaur | Rare bone and frill material |
| Edmontosaurus | Duck-billed dinosaur | Teeth, vertebrae, toe bones, ossified tendons |
| Tyrannosaurus rex | Large tyrannosaur | Shed teeth, rarely bones |
| Thescelosaurus | Small plant-eater | Teeth and bones |
| Ankylosaurs | Armored dinosaurs | Teeth and osteoderms |
| Pachycephalosaurs | Dome-headed dinosaurs | Teeth and dome fragments |
| Raptors and small theropods | Meat-eaters | Small serrated teeth, claws |
The formation is also famous for its small fossils. Screening of Lance sediments has produced a very well-studied record of Late Cretaceous mammals, along with turtles, crocodilians, lizards and fish.
Lance Formation fossils collectors can buy
- Edmontosaurus fossils. Teeth and bones are among the most accessible Lance specimens. See the hadrosaur category.
- Triceratops teeth and bones. A natural choice from the formation that made Triceratops famous. Browse the Triceratops collection.
- Thescelosaurus teeth. Small, distinctive and tied to the formation’s history. See Thescelosaurus.
- Theropod teeth. Raptor and tyrannosaur teeth, including the occasional T. rex tooth.
- Bones and claws. Vertebrae, phalanges and claws for a fuller display. See dinosaur bones.
Lance vs Hell Creek: does the formation matter?
Scientifically, the two formations share an age and a fauna. For collectors, the formation adds provenance and story. Some collectors build matched sets, such as a Triceratops tooth from each, to show the same animals across two states. Others prefer Lance pieces for their link to the classic era of American fossil hunting.
Either way, the formation name should appear on the label. A dealer who records it gives you a stronger, more verifiable specimen.
Buying tips for Lance Formation fossils
- Confirm Wyoming and the Lance Formation on the listing.
- Ask about private-land sourcing. Much of the formation lies on private ranches, but federal land rules still apply where relevant.
- Check for repairs, especially on bones and horn fragments.
- Match the species to the age. Only latest Cretaceous dinosaurs belong in the Lance Formation.
Frequently asked questions
1. How old is the Lance Formation?
About 69 to 66 million years old, from the very end of the Cretaceous period.
2. Is the Lance Formation the same as Hell Creek?
They are separate named formations, but they are the same age and preserve largely the same dinosaurs.
3. What dinosaurs are found in the Lance Formation?
Triceratops, Torosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, Thescelosaurus, ankylosaurs, pachycephalosaurs and small theropods.
4. Where is the Lance Formation?
Mainly in eastern Wyoming, with the classic Lance Creek area in Niobrara County.
Bring Wyoming’s dinosaurs home
Lance Formation fossils combine end-Cretaceous dinosaurs with more than a century of discovery. Whether you choose an Edmontosaurus tooth or a Triceratops bone, you are holding part of a legendary fossil field. Explore Wyoming dinosaur fossils at Buried Treasure Fossils.