Visit the Alabama Museum of Natural History on October 13 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM for a free event to celebrate National Fossil Day and the scientific and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations!
Category: News
Alabama’s Watery Past Is a Warning
Alabama’s Harrell Station, roughly 45 miles west of Montgomery and 150 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, seems like the last place someone would go to explore the ocean. But crumbling out of the dusty ground, which has been wrinkled into gullies of white chalk, are the remnants of an ancient sea.
Alabama’s Return to the Sea
Alabama’s Harrell Station, roughly 75 kilometers west of Montgomery and 250 kilometers inland from the Gulf of Mexico, seems like the last place someone would go to explore the ocean. But crumbling out of the dusty ground, which has been wrinkled into gullies of white chalk, are the remnants of an ancient sea.
IMLS Grant Awarded to Paleontology Collection
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $39,944 grant to the paleontology collections of the Alabama Museum of Natural History. The goal of this project is the rehousing, digitizing, and imaging of the historic invertebrate paleontology and type collections over the next two years starting in September.
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Crawly Caterpillars (FOX 6 News Interview)
Dr. John Abbott (Chief Curator & Director, Department of Museum Research & Collections) joined WBRC to discuss venomous caterpillars, how to identify them, and what you need to do if you do encounter one of these insects! Visit FOX 6 News’ website to watch the interview!
Hunting 80-million-year-old shark teeth in Alabama’s Black Belt
Tucker Bailey, 12, stands in ankle-deep water in Hale County, beaming from ear to ear and showing off his latest find. The creek he’s standing in is about 170 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, but the object in his hand in unmistakable: a small, black shark’s tooth.
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Mosasaur jaw from the Alabama Museum of Natural History collection tells remarkable story
This summer, an article using a well-preserved mosasaur jaw from the Alabama Museum of Natural History paleontology collection, was published in the July issue of Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.
Fossil found in Alabama resembles reptile skin, but looks are deceiving, experts say
A rare fossil that resembles the skin peeled from an extinct creature has been donated to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, and experts say its scaly appearance is deceiving. The fossil, which is about a foot long, is actually the extremely well preserved “skin” of a Sigillaria — an extinct plant that counts as monstrous by modern standards. Sigillaria lived in the Paleozoic Era — ~380 to 255 million years ago — and grew to around 90 feet, according to the museum’s Curator […]
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Cancellation: July 19th North River Canoeing
Due to forecasted thunderstorms tomorrow, we are having to cancel our July 19th North River Canoeing trip.
Cancellation: July 13th Little Cahaba River Tubing
Due to forecasted thunderstorms tomorrow, we are having to cancel our July 13th Little Cahaba Tubing trip.
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