description Elmer S. Riggs Overview
Elmer S. Riggs was an American paleontologist who worked for the Field Columbian Museum in the early 20th century. In 1903, he named the sauropod dinosaur Brachiosaurus based on fossils found in Colorado. He is also known for his 1903 argument that Brontosaurus was a junior synonym of Apatosaurus.
His work primarily focused on Jurassic dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation and sauropod taxonomy.
help Elmer S. Riggs FAQ
Which dinosaur did paleontologist Elmer S. Riggs name in 1903?
In 1903, Elmer S. Riggs named the massive sauropod dinosaur Brachiosaurus. He based this description on fossils he and his team discovered in Colorado. The discovery fundamentally changed how scientists understood the sheer size of dinosaurs.
What famous argument did Elmer S. Riggs make regarding the Brontosaurus in 1903?
Riggs argued that Brontosaurus was actually a junior synonym of Apatosaurus. This meant he believed they were the same creature, and that Apatosaurus was named first, making it the correct scientific name. This debate raged in the scientific community for over a century until Brontosaurus was reinstated in 2015.
Which museum employed Elmer S. Riggs during his paleontological career?
Riggs worked for the Field Columbian Museum, which is known today as the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. He led many important fossil-hunting expeditions for the institution in the early 20th century. His discoveries formed the foundation of the museum's dinosaur collection.
Where did Elmer S. Riggs discover the first Brachiosaurus fossils?
The first Brachiosaurus fossils were discovered in the Grand River Valley near Fruita, Colorado. Riggs was exploring the area's rich Late Jurassic deposits when he uncovered the massive bones. The specimen remains one of the most significant finds from the Morrison Formation.
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