" Fossils: Clues to the Past
Based in both biology and geology, paleontology is the study of fossils—evidence of ancient life preserved in rocks. Paleontologists tackle questions like
- How has life changed and evolved through time?
- Where do today's plants and animals come from?
- What did ancient plants and animals look like?
- What causes species to disappear or go extinct?
- How has the environment changed through time?
Understanding the past is a key to understanding the present and future impacts of environmental change to life on Earth, including ourselves.
We invite you to explore the Paleontology Hall and the exhibit Fossils: Clues to the Past to see how fossils are studied and what things can be learned from them.
In this exhibit you can
- Touch petrified woods, giant fossil clams, and a dinosaur footprint
- See a Pteranodon, false saber-toothed cats (nimravids), dinosaur skulls, marine reptiles, and other prehistoric animals
- Explore a hands-on Discovery Cart with touchable fossils, books, and activity backpacks for kids
- Find out about the different types of fossils and how fossils form
- See delicate plant and insect fossils preserved in 34-million-year-old shale
- Learn how paleontologists use fossils to learn about the ecology and climate of the past
- Learn about the geology of Boulder, Colorado, USA" (from (
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Admission is free, but donations are accepted!
The museum is on the campus of the University of Colorado, so either use public transportation or parking (for a fee) is available nearby at (
visit link) (As of 2013, 3 hours was $1.75). Do check the website as the museum is closed during college holidays (
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