Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

2005 May 14 - 2006 January 8

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened in May 14, 2005 and closed January 8, 2006. Located in Section 20, Floor 4 in Gallery 4 at the American Museum of Natural History. "Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries" was an exhibition revealing how current theories about dinosaurs evolved over the past twenty years and highlighted ongoing cutting-edge research by Museum scientists and other leading paleontologists around the world.

Summary

"Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries" was an exhibition revealing how current theories about dinosaurs evolved over the past twenty years and highlighted ongoing cutting-edge research by Museum scientists and other leading paleontologists around the world. Using a combination of recent fossil finds, computer simulations, and life-size models, the exhibit presented a look at how scientists reinterpreted what dinosaurs looked like, how they behaved, and how they moved as well as the theories of why- or even whether- they become extinct. A major highlight of the exhibition was a 700-sqaure foot diorama depicting a 130 million-year-old forest that existed in Liaoning Province, China. To populate the re-created forest, the Museum created dozens of scientifically accurate, life-size models of more than 35 different species of dinosaurs, reptiles, early birds, insects, mammals and plants. The viewer came face to face with the creatures that lived there including the largest Mesozoic mammal yet uncovered, the badger-sized Repenomamus giganticus. Another exhibition highlight was Bambiraptor feinbergi, a dromaeosaur fossil which provided strong evidence that dinosaurs are closely related to modern birds. The exhibition was organized by the American Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Houston Museum of Natural Science; the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; The Field Museum, Chicago; and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh. The curator of the exhibit was Mark A. Norell, Chairman and Curator of the Division of Paleontology at the Museum. Funding for the exhibit was provided by the Bank of America and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Endowment Fund. The exhibition was on view in Gallery 4 of the American Museum of Natural History from May 14, 2005 through January 8, 2006. After closing in New York, the exhibit traveled to collaborating institutions in Houston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Raleigh.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: Houston Museum of Natural Science; California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; The Field Museum, Chicago; North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh; Mark A. Norell.

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Releases (3), May 2005 Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

Museum of Natural History Press Release: Advance Schedule of Exhibitions and Programs, December 2004. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. LeFrak Family Gallery.
Location of exhibition.

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