MIAMI SCIENCE MUSEUM TO BRING REAL DINOSAUR FOSSILS TO SOUTH FLORIDA IN NEWEST BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBITION

Collection of Chinese Fossils Among the Rarest and Most Diverse in the World

MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Science Museum (formerly known as the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium) announces its newest exhibition, The Dinosaurs of China, a collection of some of the finest and rarest dinosaur fossils ever discovered in the world. The exhibit features 52 real dinosaur fossils and 14 mounted skeletons, including the 85-foot long fossilized skeleton of Mamenchisaurus jingyanensis, one of the longest-necked dinosaurs to have ever lived. The exhibition, which opens June 16, 2007, also showcases eight-feathered dinosaur and bird fossils that are among those recognized by scientists to be the evidence that proves birds are descended from dinosaurs.

Dinosaur fossils from China are known as being among the best preserved, most diverse, and most scientifically important of any place on Earth. Fossil discoveries in China range from some of the world's oldest to some of the world’s largest. In the late 1990s, dinosaurs covered in feathers were discovered in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning. The array of finely preserved fossils found there stunned scientists around the world.

“This is a spectacular opportunity for Americans to see something truly exceptional," says Dr. Matthew Lamanna, dinosaur paleontologist from Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA and scientific advisor to the exhibition. "The fossils from Liaoning Province on display at the Miami Science Museum are exquisitely detailed and contain soft-tissue structures almost never preserved in dinosaurs.”

"The Miami Science Museum is delighted to bring an exhibition of unique fossils to South Florida that continues to have an impact on current research," says Gillian Thomas, president and CEO of the Museum. "We are dedicated to bringing the most exciting discoveries worldwide to the South Florida community.”

The exhibition, The Dinosaurs of China will make its world debut at the Miami Science Museum. While similar dinosaur fossils have been exhibited outside of Beijing, this is the first time a majority of fossils in this exhibition will travel beyond Beijing for exhibition to the public. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $13 for children, and $18 for students and seniors.

ABOUT THE MIAMI SCIENCE MUSEUM

The current Miami Science Museum continues to bring special traveling exhibits to South Florida such as Amazon Voyage, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and The Science of Aliens. The Museum aims to make a difference in people's lives by inspiring them to appreciate the impact the science and technology can have on every facet of our world.

The Miami Science Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. For more information about the Museum, visit www.miamisci.org or call (305) 646-4200.

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Amanda Rich
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