Located in the north-central part of Royal, in Antelope County, approximately twenty miles north of Neligh, Nebraska, lies a unique historical park called Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. The park showcases a historical disaster that entombed numerous animals, providing an exceptional example of a fossil bed with preserved remains of prehistoric creatures from approximately 12 million years ago. It represents an invaluable archaeological find, recognized by paleontologists for its plethora of fossilized mammalian remains.

Ashfall Fossil Beds is the exact location where an incident known as the Ashfall Fossil Frenzy led archaeologists to exhume one of the most influential discoveries from the Great Plains region. Established in 1978 by the University of Nebraska State Museum and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Conservation and Survey Division, this site consists of over 360 acres and an interpretive center hosting educational exhibitions, detailed description of dig sites, and reconstructed illustrations of significant event.

A spectacular mass kill, now attributed to volcanic ash fall poisoning due to cataclysmic pyroclastic activity, struck a dry forest near the region that now constitutes the site of the fossil beds, burying hundreds of the ancestors of modern-day animals under several feet of thick, coarse volcanic particles approximately 12 million years ago. Many prehistoric creatures such as camelids, three-toed horses, canelines, the ancient ancestors of modern-day hippos and a few reptiles and aquatic animals trapped near this central part, were discovered to have shown various traumatic physical expressions, validating the study for archaeologists reviewing the historical sites and interpreting postures captured in death.

During early excavations around the preserved deposit containing partially broken ancient remains, wildlife life-size drawings sculptured on the dig complex's floors guided a widespread range of public interpretations displaying many other essential events occurring and following the eruption. Excavated sections allow visits, and even working on an ongoing basis, is allowed on behalf of participants if partaking in paid visit and supervised digging programs of the research division of the University of Nebraska.

Innovative learning programs about fossils and archaeological sites, structured for visitors interested in the 'on-site findings,' are unique attractions managed by the University research division working towards enhancing public participation in local historical studies activities in their recent heritage sites establishments. Considering it was set apart for wide availability a decade after institution discoveries have greatly added fascinating input on relevant geographical aspects supporting visitors discovering in-depth an age before the 13.82 million period.

With recognition given annually, by participating stakeholders visiting fossil finding and relearning the history as it presents, travelers visiting to make most profound discoveries under the University of Nebraska have several ways, available from regular on-site exhibitions displayed at active ongoing excavation viewing at actual time excavations where still ancient expositions with thousands artifact discoveries and artifacts and remnants exhibits viewed widely when undergoing overall discovery visits at the current University of Lincoln facilities they are held and curated on site.

For other notable site relics and exhibitions in Nebraska the same year the discovery was finalized that now exist solely on university donations, exhibits for relics exist, such Lake McConaughy and local facilities where local exhibits on history like Carhenge among other important University property associated locations. The Ash Fall exhibit does very much prove that the Great Plains after dating dating 12 million years ago is truly a remarkable well-preserved treasure history holds today for Americans.