International Art Treasures Web Magazine

May 2005  

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Dinosaurs Take Flight

Feathered Dinosaurs
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
until September 5, 2005
Caudipterx


Title: Caudipteryx, Photo detail of fossil
Early Cretaceous Period, 125 million years ago
Liaoning Province, Northeastern China
When Caudipteryx (“caw-DIP-ter-iks”) was first
described, it was thought of as a feathered, flightless
dinosaur. However, new specimens and additional
studies by scientists in China, USA and Europe now
indicate that it was actually a flightless bird, suggesting
that Caudipteryx had flying ancestors that were already
true birds.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

Children find dinosaurs fascinating! One way to introduce culture to the young is to host an exhibit that is interesting, interactive and just plain fun whilst also educational.

Feathered Dinosaurs at the ROM is one way to encourage the youngest to learn about different cultures.

Deinonychus Head
Title: Deinonychus
Early Cretaceous Period, 110 million years ago Montana, USA
Life-size sculptures by Stephen A. Czerkas
When Deinonychus (“di-NON-ik-us”) was first 
described in 1969, it was thought to be a bird-like
dinosaur and a possible ancestor to birds. It is now
known that Deinonychus itself has ancestors that flew
– flying dromaeosaurs – which makes it a form of
flightless bird instead of a dinosaur.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

“The ROM is pleased to be the sole Canadian venue to host Feathered Dinosaurs and the Origin of Flight, together with the ROM’s original exhibition, The Bird Connection. These two exhibitions present fascinating fossils that play an integral part in the newest scientific theories on the relationship between birds and dinosaurs," announces William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO.

Deinonychus
Title: Deinonychus
Early Cretaceous Period, 110 million years ago Montana, USA
Life-size sculptures by Stephen A. Czerkas
When Deinonychus (“di-NON-ik-us”) was first 
described in 1969, it was thought to be a bird-like
dinosaur and a possible ancestor to birds. It is now
known that Deinonychus itself has ancestors that flew
– flying dromaeosaurs – which makes it a form of
flightless bird instead of a dinosaur.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

Adding, "the ROM remains a leader in presenting the most current ideas about the wondrous diversity of the natural world.”

Single Feather
Title: A Single Feather
Early Cretaceous Period, 125 million years ago
Liaoning Province, China
This feather is of a plumulaceous (“ploom-yoo-LAYshess”) form without a tight vein, suggesting that it may have come from a flightless bird. These feathers are used primarily for insulation and display, not flight.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

A Single Feather
Title: A Single Feather
Early Cretaceous Period, 125 million years ago
Liaoning Province, China
This feather is of a plumulaceous (“ploom-yoo-LAYshess”) form without a tight vein, suggesting that it may have come from a flightless bird. These feathers are used primarily for insulation and display, not flight.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

An extensive category of dinosaur featured activities that will thrill and delight children accompanies the exhibit.

Children will be able to build 3-D Dinosaur Puzzles, participate in a Dinosaur Dig and dress up in costumes.

Liaoxiornis
Title: Liaoxiornis
Early Cretaceous Period, 125 million years ago
Liaoning Province, China
Liaoxiornis (“LIE-ox-ee-OR-niss”) is among the smallest
of the Liaoning birds. The structure of its hands,
wings, and chest are remarkably developed and
indicate a fairly strong ability to fly. Though
demonstrating a greater development toward modern
birds, Liaoxiornis still represents a transitional stage in
bird evolution, retaining the primitive characteristics of
having teeth and a tail that was still not as short as a
modern bird.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

Pterosaur
Title: Pterorhynchus
Middle Jurassic Period
Inner Mongolia Autonoous Region, China
Life-size sculpture by Stephen A. Czerkas
The fossil of Pterorhynchus (“ter-o-RINK-es”) reveals the most information about the soft body tissues and headcrest of any pterosaur ever discovered. The exhibition’s model carefully follows the information learned from the fossil. It revealed the presence of proto-feathers covering the body and also preserved the body shape, the skull crest’s color pattern, parts of the wings and tail, and a beard-like pouch under the neck. The proto-feathers reveal that birds were not the only type of animal possessing feathers.
Image Courtesy: The Royal Ontario Museum

Are birds dinosaurs? That is a key questions asked and also answered in the exhibit. It is believed that birds first used their feathers for insulation before they developed their ability to fly.

Thirty-four fossils recently excavated from beds in North Eastern China's Liaoning Province are on display.

Feathered Dinosaurs was organized by The Dinosaur Museum (DM), Blanding, Utah, the Liaoning Fossil Administration Office, and the Beipiao City Paleontological Research Center, Liaoning, China.

Royal Ontario Museum

www.rom.on.ca

Dinosaur Museums

www.dinosaur-museum.org

© 2005 International Art Treasures Web Magazine, All Rights Reserved.