The State Historical Museum is launching a new exhibit this month that delves into history about as far back as you can go — some 75-million years. Museum spokesman Jeff Morgan says the exhibit “Hatching the Past: The Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt” will be fascinating for kids and adults who are interested in learning about unlocking the mysteries of the ancient creatures. Morgan says it’s a hands-on exhibit offering a variety of authentic dinosaur eggs collected from nests all over the world. When most people think of dinosaurs, they imagine fully grown adults like the T-Rex, but Morgan says the exhibit showcases the science of dinosaur eggs, how and where scientists have discovered eggs and nests, and the amazing stories fossilized eggs reveal about dinosaur life.
Morgan says you’ll see dinosaur eggs that were first identified in the 1920s. He says the exhibit explores the connection between dinosaurs and birds by offering a view of dinosaur eggs in their nests and offering more detail about the behavior, growth and evolution of dinosaurs. He says the exhibit invites visitors to see or touch more than 300 dinosaur bones and reconstructed nests, one that’s more than eight feet in diameter. They can also dig for eggs, visit exploration stations and see animated video presentations featuring dinosaur experts.
Morgan says one of the exhibit’s central features is “Baby Louie,” the nearly complete skeleton of a dinosaur embryo. Fossil hunter Charlie Magovern made the rare discovery in 1993 while cleaning a large block of eggs discovered in China and named the embryo after National Geographic photographer. The exhibit opens January 20th. Famed paleontologist Jack Horner will be speaking at the Des Moines museum in late March as part of the exhibit. For more information, call (515) 281-5111 or visit the website below.
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