Recently, a batch of fossilized dinosaur eggshells has been discovered in Guangzhou, including the first fossilized crocodilian egg fragment unearthed in China. A press conference on the discovery was held at the Grandview Museum of Natural Science on July 1, at which the museum also announced its summer holiday event, "Dinosaur Prank Plan".
Fossil egg fragments discovered in Guangzhou
The six pieces of fossil egg fragments were found by Ni Zijie, a high school student and a fossil lover, at several construction sites in Guangzhou's Panyu, Tianhe, and Liwan districts. The fossils were donated to the Grandview Museum of Natural Science and researched by the team headed by Xing Lida, an associate professor at the China University of Geosciences Beijing.
Xing Lida (R1), Ni Zijie (R2) and Ni's father (L2)
According to Xing, these fossils proved the existence of dinosaurs in the urban area of Guangzhou during the late Cretaceous period, about 90 million to 70 million years ago. Among them, the fossil labeled No.HS00470 is consistent with the structure of a fossilized crocodilian egg, marking the first time a crocodilian egg fossil has been found in China. Such fossils are mainly unearthed in Europe and North America, with only a few found in Pakistan and India in Asia.
The structure of the fossil labeled No.HS00470
Guangzhou geologically belongs to the sedimentary area of Sanshui Basin. It was announced that these fossils reveal the existence of an assemblage of "troodon, oviraptor, hadrosaurus and crocodile" species, which is discovered in Guangzhou and the Sanshui Basin for the first time ever and promotes the further study of the diversity of vertebrate assemblage in late Cretaceous in the Basin.
Xing Lida introduces dinosaur fossils to kids.
In addition, inspired by these fossilized dinosaur eggshells, the Grandview Museum of Natural Science will kick off its "Dinosaur Prank Plan", featuring a series of dinosaur-themed activities during July and August. Here are the highlights.
Co-created illustration exhibition
Following the dream of a dinosaur, visitors will be the painters of this illustration exhibition and see the different characteristics of dinosaurs. People can also collect the "dinosaur eggs" at the exhibition hall to win a special gift.
Time: July 14 to August 31
Immersive experience for kids
On weekends from July 15 to July 30, ten free admission places for children will be available every day. Kids are required to wear dinosaur costumes provided on-site to enter the museum and enjoy an immersive experience.
Time: July 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
Dinosaur-themed workshop
Audiences can try to print their favorite dinosaur designs on clothes at the thermal printing T-shirt workshop on July 22, and get a hands-on experience with woodblock paintings of dinosaur images on July 29.
Musical
A musical telling the secret of the dinosaur family will be staged on August 5. With the juggle-like setting, dinosaur fossils and the vivid sound effect, the show will lead the audiences into a mysterious dinosaur world.
There will also be more interactive activities, such as choruses and magic shows. You can catch the latest information via the museum's WeChat official account "正佳自然科學博物 (id: bowuguanZJ)".
Grandview Museum of Natural Science
Opening time: 10:00-20:00 (weekdays), 10:00-22:00 (weekends and holidays)
Add: 6th floor, No. 228, Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (廣州市天河區天河路228號)
Nearby metro station: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1, get off at Tianhe Sports Center Station (體育中心站) and use Exit A.
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