Reaction to news today about the amazing study of dinosaur feathers found preserved in amber is a reminder of how many of us are still fascinated with all things dinosaur. And following an announcement just last week, we know that some very very special dinosaurs will be visiting the UK in July 2017 when the Chinasaurs Exhibition arrives at Nottingham – the only destination outside Asia to secure this extraordinary display.
Dr Adam Smith, Palaeontologist & Curator at the Nottingham Natural History Museum, Wollaton Hall, where he is responsible for the museum’s collection of 40,000 fossils. As a palaeontologist, he has collaborated with scientists around the world and named several new species. His role in The Dinosaurs of China Exhibition includes looking after the dinosaurs when they arrive, working on the exhibition content, and making sure all the information is accurate and up to date. “Interest in amazing dinosaurs, fossils and skeletons discovered in China and Asia has always gathered a large following and now the discovery of a beautiful 3.7cm long feathered tail fossilised in amber from North Eastern Myanmar is offering new insights into the evolution of feathers and helping to create a new generation of dinosaur enthusiasts.
“And in the summer of 2017, they will be able to visit an amazing exhibition of unique fossils and skeletons of 26 dinosaurs, never before seen out of Asia – a World Exclusive for Nottingham and the UK and featuring Ground Shakers and Feathered Flyers, bringing to life the story of how dinosaurs evolved into the birds that live alongside us today.”
Dr Wang Qi, Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Nottingham, is working as Exhibition Developer and has been instrumental in securing the event. His role includes international liaison with China, exhibition narrative design and exploring academic research value from this exciting event. He has extensive experience on exhibition design in natural history museums and science museums, and has completed a series of funded consultation projects in both China and the UK. “The discovery of this dinosaur fossil is both very interesting and exciting for us as it helps form a close link to our Dinosaurs of China exhibition next summer where we will welcome and showcase the most exciting ground shaking and feathered dinosaurs, including the tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the UK, ever, as high as three double decker buses stacked on top of each other – it will be an extraordinary event.”
The main exhibition, running from 1 July – 29 October 2017, will be hosted at Nottingham’s renowned Wollaton Hall, with a free to enter exhibition at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham exploring how science and Art help us to reconstruct what dinosaurs may have looked like. Tickets cost £5.50 for a child, £7.70 for an adult and £22.00 for a family of four.
There are also limited tickets available for a special preview event and a Limited Edition book of the Exhibition can be preordered on the website www.dinosaursofchina.co.uk. @Chinasaurs17