Protostega was a large sea turtle the lived in the ocean that covered Kansas and central North America 80 million years ago. New research by FHSU paleontologist Dr. Laura Wilson shows that the bone tissue microstructure (osteohistology) of Protostega reveals growth patterns similar to modern leatherback sea turtles (the largest sea turtles alive today) withContinueContinue reading “Sea Turtles in Kansas?!”
Category Archives: Research
FHSU Paleontologists visit Toronto!
Every fall, vertebrate paleontologists from around the world come together for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting. This year’s conference in Toronto, Canada provided an opportunity to share research, catch up with colleagues, and build new connections. Ten FHSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni were able to make the meeting, including three current studentsContinueContinue reading “FHSU Paleontologists visit Toronto!”
Collections Progress Report: September 2018
In 2016, the Sternberg Museum’s Paleontology Department was awarded two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to support collection improvement projects. For the past two years the collection staff has been working hard on grant initiatives, so we wanted to update you on our Year 2 progress! This year we added 89 new specimens to theContinueContinue reading “Collections Progress Report: September 2018”
Collections Data Go Live!
The collections of items held by a museum form the backbone of a museum, providing the basis for exhibits, education, and research. Because we strive to present clear educational material in our exhibits, there isn’t enough room to incorporate all of our objects into public displays. Additionally, many of the items are not complete, well preserved,ContinueContinue reading “Collections Data Go Live!”
Fossil Revival
Specimen collections form the backbone of exhibits, education, and research at a natural history museum. The most complete and well-preserved specimens are usually the ones highlighted in exhibits, while fragmented and incomplete specimens are held in collection rooms behind the scenes. The latter specimens may not be pretty or obvious as to which animal orContinueContinue reading “Fossil Revival”