Fernbank Museum Press Kit
It's Official:World's Largest Dinosaurs Call Fernbank Museum "Home"
ATLANTA-Fernbank Museum of Natural History officially welcomed its two largest guests to date, Giganotosaurus and Argentinosaurus, with the grand opening and dedication of the groundbreaking new permanent exhibition, Giants of the Mesozoic. August 25, 2001 marked the official grand opening, celebrating a journey that began in Argentina more than 90 million years ago.
Fernbank Museum is the first museum in the world to collectively assemble the world's largest dinosaurs in Giants of the Mesozoic. Unearthed in the badlands of Patagonia, Argentina, Giganotosaurus holds the title of the largest meat eater ever classified, measuring 47 feet long and weighing 8 to 10 tons. This menacing beast appears to plot its attack on Argentinosaurus, which measuring more than 126 feet long and weighing over 100 tons, is the largest plant eater ever classified and the biggest dinosaur of any kind. These giants are joined by two species of flying pterosaurs in the Museum's 86-foot-tall Great Hall. The engaging exhibition envelops visitors in a prehistoric scene that captures the surprise attack of Giganotosaurus upon the massive Argentinosaurus as pterosaurs observe
from above.
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 among these giant dinosaurs. Completing this prehistoric scene is a collection of fossils showcasing the various animal species and plants found during the Mesozoic Era imbedded in a rockwork base that includes dinosaur and pterosaur tracks.
Based on rigorous research and data, Giants of the Mesozoic, places visitors at the feet of a turbulent prehistoric scene while revealing the sometimes-deadly interactions of these creatures. On hand for the grand opening festivities was Dr. Rodolfo Coria, whose work was instrumental in ensuring the scientific accuracy of this exhibition. Coria was a key figure in the excavation and classification of Giganotosaurus and Argentinosaurus and the lead scientific consultant on the exhibition.
Upon seeing the world's only Argentinosaurus assembled for the first time during a final consultation on July 20, Coria remarked, "It's magnificent! Seeing these bones assembled is like seeing an old friend again after many years." Coria began unearthing the original bones in 1989.
Admission to Giants of the Mesozoic is included with general admission to Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Prices are $13 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and $11 for children. Members and children 2 and under are admitted free of charge. The Museum is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 404.929.6300 or visit www.fernbank.edu/museum. Fernbank is accessible from MARTA, and limited free parking is available.
Giants of the Mesozoic is a collaborative project among Fernbank Museum of Natural History; the Museo Carmen Funes in Plaza Huincul,
Argentina; the municipality of Plaza Huincul; the government of Neuquen Province, Argentina; Hall Train Studios; and Dinosaur
Productions, Inc.
The exhibition is made possible by The Miller Family Foundation, Christopher Miller; Wachovia Bank, NA; Livingston Foundation, Inc.; The David, Helen and Marian Woodward Fund; The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; The Raymond M. Cash Foundation, Inc.; United Parcel Service; The Price Gilbert, Jr. Charitable Fund; Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc.; and LAPA.
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