New Royal Tyrrell exhibit showcases Alberta’s contributions to paleontology

In tandem with the 40th anniversary of Alberta’s oldest prehistoric resource, an exhibit at Drumheller’s famous dinosaur museum highlights new prehistoric discoveries.

The new exhibit, Breakthroughs, commemorates the museum’s 40th anniversary and highlights several discoveries, including the first evidence of feathered dinosaurs in North America and Canada’s first dinosaur eggs with embryos preserved inside.

The team at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology hopes the new exhibit shines a light on Alberta’s world-class reputation and showcases local work done to find and preserve dinosaurs, the province’s oldest animals.

“Some of the specimens that’ve been found in this province have set the standard worldwide in paleontology, and it’s so exciting to share those stories,” said Lisa Making, the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology’s executive director.

Researchers say the province’s landscape and laws protecting fossils have cemented the province as a global leader in dinosaur discovery.

Specimens like a gorgosaur fossil found in Northern Alberta contain stomach contents showing a dinosaur’s last meal. There is also an armoured dinosaur specimen, called a Borealopelta markmitchelli, that is so well-preserved that the detail of its skin still remains.

“We have one of the best preserved armoured dinosaurs in the world here. People will travel the world to come see this specimen. And I’ve seen people tear up when they see it,” said Making.

Visitors to the museum say it’s remarkable that the same dinosaurs we saw in picture books growing up are native to what is now Alberta.

“It’s amazing that we have some of the best fossil records in the world here,” said Gus Bradley, who is visiting from B.C.

Anyone can be involved in discovering history as well, as researchers say many recent discoveries are made by the public while exploring the outdoors. Dinosaur hunters are encouraged to report their findings to the museum.