TAG 166 - Geological Society of Australia

Fortunately for Paul Stumkat, he is able to work withinlithographic units that exhibit exceptional fossil preservation. “Somefish specimens on display show 100% body preservation with detailsof gut and scales intact. This kind of preservation excites paleontologistsfrom around the world who often visit Kronosaurus Kornerto undertake comparative work on the museum collections. Themuseum collection policy is to curate any material that is new toscience with a view to keeping these collections on display wherevisitors can enjoy them.”Banjo, Clancy and MatildaA few hundred kilometres away, Winton is home to the AustralianAge of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History. While the dinosaurbones being excavated in western Queensland and on display atWinton are fragmented, the museum is home to the largestcollection of Australian dinosaurs. With a highly productive fossilpreparation laboratory, the museum attracts eminent paleontologistsand provides opportunities for the general public to learn more aboutfossils and preparatory work. The Age of Dinosaurs conducts threeweek-long digs per year — great opportunities for outreach. Themuseum guides bring the dinosaurs to life by providing comparisonsto animals the public are familiar with and again informing thepublic about behaviour that they can understand.The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is home to recent findsincluding Australovenator wintonensis, Wintonotitan wattsi andDiamantinasaurus matildae, known affectionately as Banjo, Clancyand Matilda, respectively. The enthusiastic story-telling makes a visitwell worth the trip.Stampeding dinosaursAnother 100-km drive down the road is a step back in time at theLark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways. This site is the world’s only recordedevidence of a dinosaur stampede. Around 95 million years ago, alarge herd of small two-legged dinosaurs gathered on the edge ofthe lake to drink. The herd included carnivorous chicken-sizedcoelurosaurs and slightly larger plant-eating ornithopods — some ofthese were the size of an emu. A large hunting theropod stalked theherd and when it charged, the herd panicked and the stampedecreated more than 3300 fossilised footprints on the muddy flats.To stand where dinosaurs stampeded and to see the evidenceis awesome and cannot help but excite the imagination of mostpeople (including scientists).Battle of the dinosaursThe ‘Tyrant Lizard King’ undoubtedly is a great name. A name thatinstils fear. But was it so scary because of its name or Hollywood’sstory-telling and mythology? Was Australovenator, meaning‘Southern Hunter’ (and also known as Banjo), a meat-eater withrazor-sharp claws and lightning speed, possibly a more fearsomehunting dinosaur than T. rex? Could the Southern Hunter becomemore familiar through a major part in a film or possibly a legendarycartoon character? Will an Australian dinosaur or marine reptile beimmortalised by eating T. rex for breakfast if Hollywood stretchedthe locations and time periods?Museums create access opportunities for science through play,stories, fun and engagement, while at the same time communicatingthe science. It is a challenge, but the Queensland Dinosaur Traildemonstrates it is entirely possible and entertaining. What ishappening in your backyard that could develop story-telling for thegeneral public or be the start of amazing mythology?Special thanks to Paul Stumkat, Curator, Kronosaurus Korner,Richmond, Queensland.SUE FLETCHER32 |TAG March 2013