Wednesday, August 29, 2001
|
Wednesday, August 29, 2001 |
|
History of dinosaurs comes alive at Fernbank
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
As you enter the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, you walk into an 86-feet-tall Great Hall. Now, there are some guests there to greet you. Fernbank recently had a grand opening for its newest permanent exhibition, "Giants of the Mesozoic." The exhibit features the skeletons of the largest meat-eating dinosaur ever, the giganotosaurus, as well as the largest plant-eating dinosaur ever, the argentinosaurus. Seen flying above the predator and his prey are the skeletal remains of two species of pterosaurs. The remains of these two dinosaurs were unearthed in Patagonia, Argentina. The giganotosaurus measures 47 feet long and weighs eight to 10 tons. In the scene set at Fernbank, he appears to be planning an attack on the argentinosaurus, which measures more than 126 feet long and weighs over 100 tons. A flock of 21 pterodaustro, a pterosaur species, scatters in reaction to the erupting attack scene below and three anhanguera, a larger species of pterosaur, are also featured. Completing the prehistoric scene are a collection of fossils showcasing the various animal species and plants found during the Mesozoic era imbedded in a rock work base that includes dinosaur and pterosaur tracks. Admission to "Giants of the Mesozoic" is included with general admission to Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Prices are $12 for adults, $11 for students and seniors and $10 for children. Members and children under age 2 are admitted free. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call 404-929-6300 or visit www.fernbank.edu/museum. Fernbank is accessible from MARTA and limited free parking is available. |
