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Tomorrow the public will have a chance to see new species of dinosaurs. The dinos are being unearthed, for the first time, from quarry sites in never before explored areas of southern Utah. The remains will be showcased in a truly different kind of exhibit.
Scott Sampson / Paleontologist, Utah Museum of Natural History: "IT TAKES YOU ALL THE WAY FROM FINDING THAT FOSSIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BADLANDS TO ACTUALLY PREPARING IT BACK AT THE MUSEUM - TO PUTTING IT INTO THE MUSEUM COLLECTION - AND ULTIMATELY FIGURING IT OUT WHAT IT IS - AND THEN DOING THE SCIENCE."
Along with bones there are displays of where and how they were found and what it took to find out who they were. In fact, later this summer, families will learn how to use the tools of the trade, doing discovery work of their own, even taking field trips to actual quarry sites.
Ed Yeates/Eyewitness News: "THE EXHIBIT IS REALLY REMARKABLE HERE SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF BONES AND NEW SPECIMENS OF DINOSAURS NEVER SEEN BY THE PUBLIC BEFORE."
Scott Sampson / Paleontologist, Utah Museum of Natural History: "MANY OF THESE FOSSILS REPRESENT SPECIES THAT ARE SO NEW, WE HAVEN'T EVEN NAMED THEM YET."
Alongside the first T-Rex found in Utah, these are very likely bones from a new species of Tyrannosaurus -- smaller than T-Rex -- but just as lethal.
Many are coming from Utah's Grand Staircase National Monument.
Scott Sampson / Paleontologist, Utah Museum of Natural History: "IT'S THE LAST PLACE IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. FORMERLY TO BE MAPPED AND NOW IT REPRESENTS ONE OF THE LAST PLACES TO REALLY BE EXPLORED BY PALEONTOLOGISTS."
Art is here too. The works of John Moore, including this rendition of Allosaurus -- which might end up as a FULL size bronze sculpture in front of the museum.
Grand opening for the exhibit is tomorrow, beginning at 11 in the morning.
