Antarctica Fossil (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1968 March 16 - 1968 April 14

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened March 16, 1968 and closed April 14, 1968. Located in the New York State Roosevelt Memorial at the American Museum of Natural History. "Antarctica Fossil" featured a piece of fossilized jaw bone from the first land-vertebrate ever to be found in Antarctica.

Summary

"Antarctica Fossil" featured a piece of fossilized jaw bone from the first land-vertebrate ever to be found in Antarctica. Edwin H. Colbert, Curator of the Museum's Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, identified the fossil as part of the jaw bone of a large Triassic labyrinthodont amphibian that lived near the South Pole more than 200 million years ago. The fossil was thought to play an important role in the scientific controversy over the origin of the Southern Hemisphere continents. It was discovered by geologists from Ohio State University's Institute of Polar Studies and supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The fossil, on loan from the Institute of Polar Studies, was on view in the Roosevelt Memorial Rotunda at the American Museum of Natural History from March 16, 1968 through April 14. 1968.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: Ohio State University's Institute of Polar Studies; The National Science Foundation; The Institute of Polar Studies; Edwin H. Colbert, Curator of the AMNH Department of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Release, March 15, 1968. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

New York State Roosevelt Memorial.
Location of exhibition.

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