ROYAL TYRELL MUSEUM: PART 2

Hello friends!

Now that I got my rock on and out of my system I think I can focus again !! hehe

Before the Royal Tyrell museum opened it's doors in 1985, most fossils found In the Drumheller area had to be shipped, analysed, cleaned up and displayed to other museums across north America including the American Museum of Natural History in New-York. I'm sure they were well cared for and studied in these facilities but moving them such long distance increased potential for damage to the specimens along with the loss of provincial history from Alberta and her citizens. Moving fossils across the continent also requires a good deal of care and are encased in plaster to minimize damage and can be costly along with time consuming.

Over 40 different species of dinosaurs along with several other plants, marine creatures and micro organism fossils have been recovered and identified in the near by Dinosaur Provincial Park therefore having a processing location much closer to the finds was critical. Still today specimens get sent globally to share the information and bounty but the majority remains in Alberta and many of the fossils that are being stored (those not on display) at the Royal Tyrell Museum are available to paleontologist, geologist and students in the respective fields for further study upon written request and approval of the museum requirements.

Large known fossil deposits and most other fossils found in Alberta are under government protection and belong to the province of Alberta until stated otherwise by the governing authority. Excavations have to be approved by such officials and must be done under the supervision of a qualified paleontologist to minimize damage to specimens or loss of information required to do a proper analysis. Loose fossil and petrified wood collecting in non protected areas that do not require excavation is permitted but must be analysed and approved by the museum before they can be sold, taken out of province or altered in the event it may be a new piece of information in which case must be surrendered for further studies. Just in case you get any ideas, make sure you inform yourself of local laws before going on your own adventure to avoid costly penalties as our land and history is highly valued here in Alberta.

The area offers several summer programs thru the Royal Tyrell museum, surrounding provincial parks and other approved guided tours of current excavations, camps, workshops and comprehensive education to fossil enthusiast of all ages. University of Alberta with the collaboration of the Royal Tyrell museum offers a free online course to learn more on Alberta's natural history and paleontology for the amateur that wants a little more knowledge.

Alright now I will not keep you waiting any longer for the good stuff.

Displayed in the Dinosaur hall exhibit, this T-Rex stands proud, the pelvis has to be displayed on the ground level and a cast had to be made to display this beast due to it's weight.

We all know the famous Triceratop , this herbivore is estimated to have weighted around 5 tons and used it's 3 horns to move foliage and defense.

Slightly smaller cousin of the Triceratop, protoceratopsid has 2 parietal fenestrae (the large holes in the skull) that is not fully understood. It would have been heavy and clumsy and is suspected to have served as a feature for intimidation or attract a mate.

The plates on the stegosaurus is believed to have been it's deference , despite having recovered many specimens little is know about their uses.

This scene from the ice age depicts a woolly mammoth
being attacked by saber tooth tigers.

These are my favorite pieces from the museum but they have much more to offer, as I said in part one it is a very crowded museum with all the organized tour packages offered from Calgary to international visitors making it difficult to get clear access to everything for photography. The rest of the town is fairly quiet making it more of an outdoor adventure and great for camping and hiking.

Until I moved to Alberta 10 yrs ago , I had never heard of this gem as amazing as it is which is why I felt the need to share this with you. It is one of a kind and an impressive collection. I would highly recommend the Royal Tyrell if you ever have a chance to visit one day.

In case you missed part 1 here is a link below. I hope you enjoyed!

https://steemit.com/photography/@ladybug146/royal-tyrell-museum-part-1