César Perdomo's paleontological museum, La Tormenta, is evolving within the Tatacoa Desert, featuring a cement structure that provides views of its rugged canyons. The museum houses fossils displayed on tables and shelves, while additional specimens remain boxed and stacked. Despite the presence of a restaurant and rustic cabins, visitors are infrequent.
Mr. Perdomo, a rancher aged 44, has collected fossils throughout his life in a region rich with deposits from the Middle Miocene epoch, approximately 13 million years ago. During this period, South America was isolated and home to various oversized mammals and unique birds, including terror birds, which were apex predators.
Despite extensive paleontological research, fossils of terror birds had not been found in the area until Mr. Perdomo established his museum. His early experiences with research expeditions helped him refine his fossil-collecting techniques, although he initially worked without guidance after foreign researchers withdrew in the 1990s due to regional conflict.
In 2010, Colombian paleontologists resumed exploration in the area, leading to a collaboration with Mr. Perdomo. Following a devastating drought in 2015 that impacted his livestock, he shifted focus to paleontology as local interest in fossils grew. In 2019, construction of La Tormenta began, though it faced setbacks, including a storm that damaged the initial structure.
Notably, a significant discovery was made when Dr. Rodolfo Salas identified a fossilized bird leg bone collected by Mr. Perdomo as belonging to a new and large terror bird species, suggesting a more diverse ecosystem in the La Venta deposits than previously understood. This finding challenges earlier assumptions about the area's environment during the Middle Miocene.
Dr. Federico Degrange, a leading authority on terror birds, confirmed the fossil's importance, indicating it belonged to a bird larger than known species. The discovery of bite marks on the fossil adds intrigue regarding the predator-prey dynamics of the time.
While cataloging fossils, Mr. Perdomo recalled a terror bird skull he had seen as a child, believed to have been lost. His cousin, Abelardo Soto, confirmed its collection but lamented its disappearance due to historical turmoil in the region. The fate of the skull remains uncertain, reflecting the challenges of preserving paleontological findings in Colombia.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Perdomo continues to engage passionately with his collection, often spending nights in the museum, contemplating the mysteries of the fossils and their historical significance.