On Saturday, the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) will debut “Dinosaur Discoveries: Old Fossils, New Concepts,” a new exhibition that will paint a vivid image of what dinosaurs were truly like. The exhibit examines how ideas about dinosaur biology have evolved over the past 20 years and include recent findings from top paleontologists throughout the world, including researchers from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
In “Dinosaur Discoveries: Old Fossils, New Concepts,” a dynamic view of dinosaurs and the scientists who study them is introduced via a combination of fossil discoveries, compelling computer simulations, and provocative models. The exhibit looks in-depth at recent scientific sleuthing and the variety of investigative tools used by contemporary scientists to reinterpret many of the most enduring and perplexing mysteries about dinosaurs, including what they looked like, how they behaved, and how they moved. These mysteries include how they behaved, what they looked like, and how they moved. It also examines the intricate and contentious hypotheses around whether or not they actually became extinct.
“This exhibition illustrates how scientists are using new ideas, new discoveries, and new technologies to revolutionize our understanding of dinosaurs,” says Mark A. Norell, curator of Dinosaur Discoveries and curator emeritus in the Division of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, in a press release. “Our work reaches across many disciplines involving paleontologists, biomechanical engineers, paleobotanists, and others to showcase how we go about reconstructing the mysterious life of dinosaurs.”
“Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas” is divided into several major themes, including:
How Dinosaurs Moved
In this section, biomechanical studies on dinosaur movement spring dramatically to life. Highlights include:
- A video on T. rex depicting how experts in biomechanics and paleontology are teaming up to estimate the typical speed and gait of a rampaging tyrannosaur.
- A full-size cast skeleton leg of a Tyrannosaurus rex.
- A stunning model of an Apatosaurus skeleton neck, whose construction has been based on computer drawings used to investigate the full range of vertebral movements of this huge, long-necked creature.
- A high-definition video array on the wall directly behind the Apatosaurus neck displays a computer animation of the steel robo-dinosaur skeleton that morphs into a realistic fossil skeleton then gradually adds layers of muscle and skin until a full-fleshed Apatosaurus is moving on the screens.
The Liaoning Forest
This portion of the exhibit includes a diorama depicting a section of a 130-million-year-old forest that existed in what is now Liaoning Province, China. Fossil discoveries from Liaoning have shed light on the origins of birds, mammals, feathers, flight, and flowering plants.
How Dinosaurs Behaved
This section demonstrates how scientists are reinterpreting old fossil evidence using new approaches and new technologies to unlock the secrets of dinosaur behavior. Life-size models and skeleton casts illustrate theories on the purposes of the unusual horns, frills, crests, and domes found on many dinosaur skulls. Were they used for defense, mate recognition, or display? Highlights include:
- A case featuring various skulls, plates, and other armor.
- Twin life-size models of Protoceratops — one skeleton, the other fully fleshed out.
- A life-size three-horned Triceratops skull.
Extinction
In this section, visitors can explore the hard evidence for theories on the possible events that ended the Age of Dinosaurs, including asteroid impact, global climate change and massive volcanic eruptions, as well as the descendants of dinosaurs that walk among us today.
“The museum constantly strives to provide our visitors with new and unique experiences,” said VMNH Deputy Director Ryan Barber in the release. “Working with the American Museum of Natural History to bring such an immersive, dinosaur-themed exhibit to VMNH will give visitors another memorable experience that compliments the many dinosaur displays that the museum already exhibits on a permanent basis.”
Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas is exhibited at the Virginia Museum of Natural History from Saturday through Jan. 20, 2024.
Admission to the special exhibit is included in the price of general museum admission. Museum admission is $10 per adult ages 18-59 and $5 for children and youth ages 3-17, seniors ages 60+ and college students. Admission is free for children under 3, museum members and members of museums and science centers that participate in the ASTC Passport program.
The museum also participates in the Institute for Museum and Library Services Museums for All initiative, offering discounted admission to EBT cardholders. Through this program and additional funding provided by Hooker Furnishings, visitors who present their EBT card and accompanying ID at the museum’s box office receive free museum admission.
Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; The Field Museum, Chicago; the Houston Museum of Natural Science; and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh.
Source: martinsvillebulletin.com
