Important note: The following palaeontological expeditions were organized by professionals who were delivered permits by Parks Canada to collect fossils. Unauthorized Burgess Shale fossil excavation is unlawful, detrimental to science, and disrespectful of the researchers’ hard work. Fossil sites are monitored by Parks Canada on a permanent basis.
2022 Burgess Shale expedition
Excavation of the South Tokumm site
Alpine Helicopters Inc. delivering the goods.Curious wildlife.Joe Moysiuk (left) and Chris Capobianco (right) handling the new Cobra jackhammer with ease.Lifting the lid of the tomb.Robert Gaines (middle), Jean-Bernard Caron (right) and myself (left) inspecting a fossil surface, with French photojournalist Axel Tardieu capturing the moment.
2018 BURGESS SHALE EXPEDITION
Main excavation of the North Tokumm site
Contemplating the work done… or the mountain of possibilities!2018 “B-Team” – Left to right: Maryam Akrami, Alejandro Izquierdo-López, Robert Gaines, Jean-Bernard Caron, Joe Moysiuk, Ellie Ellis, Iris Holzer, Cédric Aria, Fangchen Zhao and Howard Wong.
2016 Burgess Shale expedition
Back to Marble Canyon
Team taming of the old “Cobra” pneumatic drill. Left to right: Cédric Aria, Jesse Chadwick, Joe MoysiukThe 2016 “B-Team” – From left to right: Jesse Chadwick, Maryam Akrami, Cédric Aria, Jean-Bernard Caron, Pierre Vincent, Linda Tsuji, Joe Moysiuk and Karma Nanglu
2014 Burgess Shale expedition
Main excavation of the Marble Canyon quarry and discovery of the Whymper and Tokumm sites
(left to right) Joe Moysiuk, myself and Karma Nanglu serenely waiting, past a full work day in the quarryPart of the 2014 team posing in front of the Marble Canyon quarry. Top to bottom, left to right: Robert Gaines, Jesse Chadwick, Jean-Bernard Caron, Calla Carbone, Karma Nanglu and myselfTrimming fossil slabs with the rocksaw on a fine afternoonAttempting to dent the hard, carbonate-rich shale with Robert Gaines dependably watching behindFriendly visit