Main Page - Part 340

8 09, 2014

Time Running Out To Enter Dinosaur T-shirt Contest

By Mike|2023-03-16T13:40:31+00:00September 8th, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Press Releases|1 Comment

Name the Dinosaur Competition

As we celebrate the introduction of Everything Dinosaur’s range of childrens’ dinosaur themed T-shirts, our competition to think of a suitable name for one of the dinosaurs featured in the new designs, really seems to have taken off. We have lots of entries so far, but there is still time to enter (competition closes on Friday 19th September). Please note this competition is now closed.

One of the designs on our dinosaur T-shirts features a baby T. rex. He (or she), looks very cute and the competition is simple – come up with a name for this little critter.

The Range of Exclusive Everything Dinosaur T-shirts

The first of the dinosaur themed T-shirts from Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Give a name to our baby dinosaur and we will send one lucky winner a dinosaur T-shirt from our new range* for their junior palaeontologist to wear!

Think of a name for me to win a T-shirt!

To enter the contest for a chance to win a dinosaur themed T-shirt for your own young dinosaur fan, all you have to do is “Like” Everything Dinosaur’s FACEBOOK page, then comment on the picture of the baby dinosaur design on the red T-shirt (pictured above). Our friendly baby dinosaur needs a name, what can you come up with?

To enter, just visit Everything Dinosaur on FACEBOOK and “like” our page and remember to leave a suggested name by making a comment under the “apprentice dinosaur” image.

Everything Dinosaur on Facebook

Click the logo to visit our Facebook page and to give our page a “like”.

Everything Dinosaur on FACEBOOK: “LIKE” Our Facebook Page and Enter Competition

We will draw the lucky winner at random and the name caption competition closes on Friday 19th September 2014. Good luck!

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of dinosaur and prehistoric animal themed clothing click on the picture below:

Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Pjs, T-shirts, Sweatshirts etc.

Exclusive to Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of dinosaur T-shirts and other dinosaur themed clothing for children: Dinosaur Themed Clothes and Dinosaur T-shirts.

*The range of T-shirt sizes available to the prize winner

Competition winner can choose from these sizes.

* please note the red “Appentice Palaeontologist T-shirt is only available in sizes up to 9 yrs-11 yrs, chest size 82 cm.

Terms and Conditions of Name Our Baby Dinosaur Competition

Automated entries are not permitted and will be excluded from the draw.

Only one entry per person.

The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

The Everything Dinosaur name a baby dinosaur caption competition runs until Friday 19th September 2014.

Winner will be notified by private message on Facebook or email.

Prize includes postage and packing.

For full terms and conditions email: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

PLEASE NOTE THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

6 09, 2014

Rare Dinosaur Fossil Damaged at Dinosaur National Monument (Utah)

By Mike|2024-05-02T10:22:28+01:00September 6th, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Dinosaur Fossil Damaged and a Piece Stolen from Dinosaur National Monument

It once was a near perfect fossil of the upper arm bone of a sauropod dinosaur, now it is broken and damaged with a fist-sized chunk missing. Rangers at the Dinosaur National Monument in Utah have reported the vandalism and theft of part of a humerus. It is extremely sad to have to report on yet another theft of a dinosaur fossil, officials at the Monument are appealing to members of the public to help them trace the culprit(s).

The Damaged Portion of the Dinosaur Fossilised Bone

The damaged dinosaur bone.

Picture credit: National Parks Service

The picture above shows the missing section of the dinosaur bone, the bone seems to have been deliberately smashed.

Dinosaur National Monument

The Dinosaur National Monument is well-named. Managed by the United States Department of the Interior National Parks Service, the park covers some 85,000 hectares and overlies the border between the states of Colorado and Utah (although the main dinosaur quarry site is in Utah, close to the town of Jenson). The Monument is world famous for its amazing collection of dinosaur and other vertebrate fossils which date from the Upper Jurassic.

At least ten different types of dinosaur genera are known from the Morrison Formation exposures. The Utah sequence represents high energy riverine deposits and on show at the visitor centre is a sandstone “wall” that reveals some 1,500 dinosaur bones. Dinosaurs were probably swept away and drowned during floods. At bends in the river as the current slowed down, so debris, including the carcases of dinosaurs was deposited. The Dinosaur National Monument preserves these “log jams” of dinosaur bones. Genera associated with the Monument include Camarasaurus, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Diplodocus and Dryosaurus.

The Fossil Discovery Trail

On Tuesday, September 2nd , a park ranger was leading a tour party along the Fossil Discovery Trail when the damaged bone was noticed. The vandalism and theft probably took place sometime between the Monday guided walk along the Fossil Discovery Trial and Tuesday morning. The Fossil Discovery Trail is a 1.2 mile trail that runs between the Quarry Visitor Centre and the Quarry Exhibit Hall where the famous sandstone “wall” of dinosaur bones that we described above, is located.

The trail is unique as it is one of the few places where visitors can hike to see and touch dinosaur fossils and fragments in situ. It allows visitors to experience what it may have been like for palaeontologist Earl Douglass (Carnegie Museum of Natural History), when he discovered the first fossils in what is now the Monument.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“This is such a shame as the Dinosaur National Monument is going to celebrate its centenary next year and to have fossils damaged and stolen is deeply upsetting. Although the fossils along the trail are of limited scientific value they provide a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to get up close to real dinosaur fossils.”

The Sauropod Humerus (before and after) Photographs

Two photographs showing the fossil before and after the theft.

Picture credit: National Parks Service

The picture above shows two photographs, the picture of the humerus without the damage (left) and a close up showing the damaged portion (right). Although our dinosaur experts cannot be certain, the bone portion in question looks like the distal end of a left humerus, probably part of a Camarasaurus. Park officials are seeking help from the public and anyone with information regarding this theft are invited to contact staff on (435) 781-7715. A reward of $750 USD has been put up by the Intermountain Natural History Association for information that leads to a conviction.

The Part of the Fossil Discovery Trail where the Bone was Situated

The arrow shows the position of the damaged dinosaur bone.

Picture credit: National Parks Service

Not to Collect or Damage Fossils

Everything Dinosaur would like to take this opportunity to stress that visitors to the Dinosaur National Monument are not allowed to collect/damage any fossils or rocks. Under Federal law, all features, artefacts and resources are protected. No collection of park geological resources for commercial sale, private collections or for classroom educational purposes is permitted. We advise all visitors to National State Parks of America to familiarise themselves with the various protection laws and polices that relate to that particular location.

4 09, 2014

Spectacular Prehistoric Animal Tycoon Simulator Starts to Stir

By Mike|2024-05-02T10:44:02+01:00September 4th, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page|0 Comments

The Ultimate Tycoon Building Experience

The gaming world might be dominated by some industrial giants, but just as in the Jurassic, when the slow-moving sauropods would have been occasionally startled by much smaller, more agile dinosaurs, the gaming leviathans can find themselves up against faster, sleeker and speedier developers. Everything Dinosaur’s team members have been informed that an independent studio (Underdog Interactive), are working on a new simulator that intends to deliver the ultimate in tycoon building experiences. The working title for this new prehistoric animal simulator is “Jurassic Planet”, but a new name is due to be announced shortly.

Prehistoric Animal

Gaming Thrills with Prehistoric Tycoon Simulator

One of the backgrounds for the game.

Picture credit: Max Wood

The project is being developed on the Unreal Engine 4 platform which boasts stunning graphics and powerful visuals. Underdog Interactive, have big plans and they intend to make a mark on the game development environment about as big as the Chicxulub impact crater. Currently the team is focusing on bringing the best possible graphics together with the most up to date fossil discoveries so that a spectacular and accurately depicted menagerie of prehistoric animals can feature.

A Fast-moving Project

Commenting on this fast-moving project, insider Max Wood stated:

“With the versatility of Unreal Engine 4, the team are looking to wow players with realistic graphics and to include game enhancing features such as Co-op missions and even the “dinosaur capture feature” inspired directly by the scene from the second Jurassic Park move – Lost World.”

Other projects such as Prehistoric Kingdom have been largely fan based projects, the difference here is that Jurassic Planet is a game development project and the talented team are working around the clock on making this game a reality.

Spinosaurid Rendering by Underdog Interactive

Spinosaurid ad depicted by Underdog Interactive.

Picture credit: Max Wood

For models and replicas of spinosaurids and other dinosaurs: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Models.

1 09, 2014

New School Curriculum With Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaurs

By Mike|2023-03-16T12:35:59+00:00September 1st, 2014|Categories: Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

New Curriculum – New Challenges For Teaching Teams

This week sees the introduction of the new national curriculum for school children in England. A more “rigorous” curriculum with English, Mathematics and Science as core subjects with pupils at Key Stage 1 (five to seven years old) being introduced to simple fractions and even computer programming. The aim of this new curriculum which is being rolled out across all state-funded primary and secondary schools, is to improve standards.

A New Curriculum

However, academies, which now form the majority of secondary schools, will not be required to follow the new curriculum. State funded schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are managed differently but current policies and practices are being reviewed in many parts of the British Isles.

Why the Changes?

The Department for Education, responsible for children’s’ services and education in England, cites falling academic standards when students in England are compared to students from other countries, particular countries such as Singapore, South Korea and China. From Everything Dinosaur’s perspective, our teaching work aims to help promote the concept of working scientifically and we deal with classes ranging from EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) right up to Key Stage 4 (students from fourteen to sixteen years).

A number of comparative studies have been undertaken and just like schools themselves, the results vary. For example, back in 2012 Everything Dinosaur team members reported on the biannual comparative study carried out by researchers at Boston College (USA), which covers the results from two very important international teaching studies, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Broadly, the United Kingdom had shown good progress when it came to mathematics but standards seemed to be slipping when it came to the sciences.

Teaching about Dinosaurs and Fossils in School – Working Scientifically

Lots of facts about dinosaurs. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaurs

A topic all about dinosaurs, fossils and extinction helps to bring together core teaching subjects such as science, English and mathematics.

To read more about the study: Mixed Results for Science and Maths in English Schools.

Where Does Everything Dinosaur Come In?

With the emphasis on scientific knowledge, conceptual understanding and learning about scientific methods, dinosaurs as a term topic or part of a special science themed teaching week is a great way to engage young minds at Key Stage 1 and earlier. As children tend to have a fascination with prehistoric animals, our dinosaur workshops help to introduce and reinforce learning objectives as outlined by the new curriculum. Lower Key Stage 2 have to learn about fossils, how they are formed and what they tell us about the once living things that they represent. As one of our colleagues declared “Mary Anning is on the curriculum” – great to see a female role model in science.

Studying Genetics and Evolution

Older students in Key Stage 3 and heading up to Key Stage 4 are being given the opportunity to study genetics, evolution and the work of such notable scientists as Darwin and Wallace.

Teachers and their support providers have been working hard to get to grips with this new “rigorous” curriculum. We are aware that some of the teaching resources related to dinosaurs and fossils used in the past are in some cases out of date, or worse still inaccurate. Everything Dinosaur offers lots of free, downloadable prehistoric animal themed teaching resources from its bespoke teaching website, as well as helpful articles, tips, advice and the opportunity to invite our dinosaur experts into school.

To visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

A Teaching Exercise – Our Hands versus the Hands of a Dinosaur

Examining Dinosaur Hands (Key Stage 2/3). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Supplying Teaching Resources

In terms of teaching resources, Everything Dinosaur team members have been advising learning support providers about all sorts of prehistoric animal related merchandise – from finger puppets to science kits. All the resources we supply have been tested and reviewed by our own teaching team, there’s even free dinosaur fact sheets included as well.

Resources for schools: Dinosaur Themed Educational Products.

Here’s to that dedicated group of professionals who serve our school children so well and we wish all the students starting the new curriculum every success with their studies.

31 08, 2014

Palaeontologist versus Paleontologist Providing a Helpful Explanation

By Mike|2024-05-02T10:46:22+01:00August 31st, 2014|Categories: Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|1 Comment

Palaeontologist v Paleontologist – What’s the Difference?

During our school visits to carry out dinosaur and fossil themed workshops we often get asked to help with various aspects of the teaching scheme of work. Everything Dinosaur’s team members are happy to provide advice and to assist where they can. We even send out lots of free teaching resources, lesson plans, activity ideas and learning aids related to fossils and prehistoric animals.

Supporting Teachers

However, we do see a lot of other teaching resources, many of which have been downloaded from education company websites, that are inaccurate. Some of these resources have cost money, thus depleting an already stretched teaching budget. We try to do what we can to help out.

Everything Dinosaur Provides a Lot of Teaching Resources to Schools

So many events, so many activities, so many photographs.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Palaeontologist v Paleontologist

Today we will deal with a very simple point, the difference between “palaeontology” and “paleontology”. We know that a number of the resources used by teachers and learning support providers (home educators too for that matter), are sourced from other countries, such as America. Herein lies the confusion. The word palaeontology is often seen in these resources (and elsewhere) with an “a” missing. We have the term “palaeontologist” and also “paleontologist”.

So let’s start at the beginning – what is palaeontology or paleontology?

Providing Explanations

Palaeontology or paleontology mean the same thing. These words describe the branch of science that deals with the study of extinct animals and plants and their fossilised remains. The word is derived from the Greek palaios which means “ancient”, a reference to prehistoric times. Palaeontology (with an extra “a” added) is the term used in Britain and elsewhere in the world, whilst paleontology is the Americanised version of the word and it is customarily used in the USA. Both words are interchangeable but most institutions tend to use one word rather than the other.

For example, Everything Dinosaur uses the term palaeontology, whilst the Chicago Field Museum (Illinois, USA) uses the word paleontology. The dropping the “a” convention applies to all the sub-disciplines in this broad area of scientific study.

Common Terms in Palaeontology and Related Subjects

Palaeontology (UK) Paleontology (USA) – The study of extinct organisms and their fossils.
Palaeontologist (UK) Paleontologist (USA) – A person who studies extinct organisms and their fossils.
Vertebrate Palaeontologist (UK) Vertebrate Paleontologist (USA) – The branch of palaeontology that studies animals with back bones.
Invertebrate Palaeontologist (UK) Invertebrate Paleontologist (USA) – The branch of palaeontology that studies animals without back bones.
Micropalaeontology (UK) Micropaleontology (USA) – The study of microscopic fossils (micro-fossils).
Palaeobotany (UK) Paleobotany (USA) – fossil plants; traditionally includes the study of fossil algae and fungi in addition to land plants.
Human Palaeontology (UK) Human Paleontology (USA) – The study of prehistoric human and proto-human fossils.
Palaeoanthropology (UK) Paleoanthropology (USA) – As above (prehistoric human and proto-human fossils).
Palaeoecology (UK) Paleoecology (USA) – Ecology of extinct and prehistoric organisms.
Palaeoclimatology (UK) Paleoclimatology (USA) – The study of past climates.
Palaeogeography (UK) Paleogeography (USA) – Study of geographical features of the past.
Palaeomagnetism (UK) Paleomagnetism (USA) – Study of the magnetism remaining in rocks and related magnetic fields.

Credit: Everything Dinosaur

So the terms palaeontology and paleontology are equally valid, but whilst working in schools and UK based museums we tend to use the terms with an extra “a”.

To learn more about Everything Dinosaur’s extensive product range: Everything Dinosaur.

30 08, 2014

Did Psittacosaurus Use Baby Sitters?

By Mike|2023-03-16T10:34:45+00:00August 30th, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page|0 Comments

Palaeontologists Suggest Dinosaur Fossil Material Shows a “Creche” with Baby Sitter

A team of international researchers have re-examined a set of Psittacosaurus dinosaur fossils that come from the Lujiatun beds of the Yixian Formation in Liaoning, China. The rock slab has preserved the fossilised remains of twenty-four young psittacosaurs and one older individual. It has been suggested that the fossil represents a group of hatchlings being looked after by an older animal. Could this be evidence of a dinosaur “creche” with a “baby sitter”?

Published in “Cretaceous Research”

The paper on this new research has been published in the academic journal “Cretaceous Research”. The international team included University of Pennsylvania based scientists Brandon P. Hedrick and Peter Dodson as well as researchers from China’s Dalian Museum of Natural History, where the rock slab is currently stored. The fossil material was first described ten years ago, the block, which measures a little over sixty centimetres in length was discovered by an amateur palaeontologist, it is believed to date from around 120 million years ago (Aptian faunal stage of the Cretaceous).

Psittacosaurus

Psittacosaurus is one of the most studied of all the dinosaurs. A number of species have been assigned to the genus, it remains the most specious of all the Dinosauria, although some species have been described as nomen dubium following a recent review (2013). Seen as a transitional form between the ornithopods and the horned dinosaurs, Psittacosaurus is regarded as a basal member of the Marginocephalia. Rarely exceeding two metres in length, fossils of this herbivorous dinosaur have been found in China, Russia and Thailand.

An Illustration of Psittacosaurus

A typical psittacosaurid.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

For models and replicas of Psittacosaurus (whilst stocks last) and other Cretaceous prehistoric animals: CollectA Prehistoric Life Figures and Models.

Psittacosaurus Dinosaur Fossils

Despite its spectacular appearance, the fossil material has only been briefly described, although the idea of a “dinosaur creche” has been proposed before. The exact location of the discovery was never recorded, this hampered the international research team but as PhD student Brandon P. Hedrick stated:

“I saw a photo of it [the block] and instantly knew I wanted to explore it in more depth.”

Dalian Museum of Natural History Slab of Fossil Material

Is this evidence of a dinosaur creche with a baby sitter?

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/University of Pennsylvania

Studying the Orientation of the Fossils

In order to learn more about how these dinosaurs may have died, the orientation of their bodies was carefully studied. Thin slivers of rock were examined under the microscope and further samples were subjected to X-ray diffraction. The analyses suggested that the matrix was composed of volcanic material, indicating that these prehistoric animals were caught in a flow of material as a result of a volcanic eruption. Since all the fossils were orientated in the same plane, the position of the fossils supports this idea that all these dinosaurs were engulfed in a flow.

As the fossilised bones showed no scorch marks or signs of heat damage, the researchers concluded that the flow was unlikely to be pyroclastic in nature.

Hedrick added:

“If they were captured in a flow, the long axis, their spines, would be orientated in the same direction. That was what we found. They were likely trapped by a flow.”

It is likely the flow was some sort of lahar – a mixture of water, mud, rock and other debris associated with volcanic eruptions.

Since no egg shell material has been found, it is believed that the twenty-four fossils represent a group of hatched dinosaurs. The larger skull was found in close association with the fossil material, it is likely that this larger Psittacosaurus perished at the same time as the younger animals.

Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis

All the psittacosaurs have been assigned to the same species Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, the skull probably belonged to an immature adult, one not old enough to breed, so the researchers have hypothesised that this was an older sibling helping to care for its younger brothers and sisters.

Family members helping out to raise the following year’s brood is a type of behaviour found in a number of bird species. It has been estimated that around 8% of all, extant bird species are involved in some form of co-operative breeding in which other family members help to raise young. This behaviour is found in many types of song bird and the crow family for example. The scientists emphasise that this material cannot be regarded as a dinosaur “nest”.

Hedrick explained:

“It certainly seems like it might be a nest, but we were not able to satisfy the intense criteria to say definitely that it is. It is just as important to point out what we don’t know for sure as it is to say what we are more certain of.”

The scientists hope to continue their work by focusing on the micro-structure of the fossilised bones of the smaller dinosaurs to establish whether they were all at the same stage of development. If this is found to be the case, this would support the theory that this rock slab represents the preserved remains of one clutch or brood of animals.

26 08, 2014

Everything Dinosaur’s New School Website Is Launched

By Mike|2023-03-16T09:47:15+00:00August 26th, 2014|Categories: Educational Activities, Main Page, Press Releases, Teaching|0 Comments

Dinosaur Workshops In School

Everything Dinosaur’s new teaching themed website has been launched today. This new site, aimed at helping teachers, learning support providers and home educators is packed full of dinosaur and fossil themed teaching ideas, blog articles, helpful hints and free downloads.

Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaurs for Schools

Everything Dinosaur aims to help teachers, museums and home educators.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To visit Everything Dinosaur’s educational products: Prehistoric Animals Models and Toys.

The new website has been designed to act as an educational resource to help teachers, teaching assistants and other member of the teaching profession to cover science subjects aimed at school children from the Early Years Foundation Stage right up to Key Stage 4 and beyond. Home educators too, will find this new resource helpful. Everything Dinosaur’s team of teaching professionals have worked over the last six months or so to provide reliable assistance with the challenges posed by the new curriculum.

Supporting Learning Providers

The intention is to help learning support providers and teachers by permitting access to dinosaur, fossil and evolution teaching resources that have been checked over by dinosaur experts and fossil collectors, thus providing a reliable set of resources and guides to assist educators as they instil the skills needed to develop an interest in and perhaps a career in the sciences.

A spokesperson for Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It is all about getting students to develop scientific skills such as enquiry, investigation, observation and analysis. For many teachers the challenge will be to help pupils to work scientifically, whilst for those teaching professionals working at EYFS and Key Stage 1 a dinosaur themed teaching topic is a great way to help engage the children.”

24 08, 2014

Remembering the Remarkable Samuel Husbands Beckles (1814-1890)

By Mike|2024-05-02T11:56:24+01:00August 24th, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Famous Figures, Main Page|0 Comments

Samuel H. Beckles and Iguanodonts plus Becklespinax

Whilst going over some notes in a rare office tidy up, we came across a handful of old genealogy papers relating to research on Samuel Husbands Beckles. Who, you might ask? One thing that is for certain, names such as Gideon Mantell, Sir Richard Owen and Mary Anning may be quite well known, but few people outside the Earth sciences (and perhaps one or two in the disciplines we group together as the Earth sciences), may not be familiar with the name.

Samuel Husbands Beckles

Samuel Husbands Beckles was born in 1814 (April 12th we think), on the island of Barbados. He came from a wealthy and well-to-do family and he found great success as a lawyer. Samuel Beckles had always been keen on studying the natural world and science, although he lacked any real, formal scientific training.

Unlike people in the UK today, who might dream of early retirement in the Caribbean, Samuel decided at the grand old age of 31 to give up the vast majority of his legal work and retire in England. As a rich, and well connected member of Georgian/Victorian high society, he did much to fund and popularise the study of the geology and fossils found in southern England (he lived at St Leonards-on-Sea, E. Sussex).

Collecting and Studying Fossils

He dedicated much of the rest of his life to collecting fossils and learning about the geology of the Weald. He is credited with the discovery of three, articulated, tall-spined dorsal vertebrae (back bones), no vertebrae fossils had ever been found that looked like these, indeed the exact location of the find remains uncertain. We do know that these fossils were found at a site close to the small town of Battle, in East Sussex, it is probable that these fossils came from a cutting or quarry that represented strata that make ups the Hastings Subgroup of the Weald basin. This would suggest that the fossils came from a dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous.

The Fossil Material and Original Drawing (Becklespinax)

The three articulated dorsal vertebrae that represent Becklespinax.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Becklespinax altispinax

These fossils were identified as belonging to some sort of large, carnivorous dinosaur (Theropoda). Following a review of the known fossil material in 1988, the genus Becklespinax was erected (Gregory S. Paul), the species name being Becklespinax altispinax. The genus name honours the work of Samuel Husbands Beckles (the name translates as Beckles’ tall spines).

The contribution he made to palaeontology and geology was recognised in his own lifetime, when against the custom of the day, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London. Although he had accumulated a vast amount of fossil material and been actively involved in cataloguing and analysing a substantial amount of vertebrate fossil material, his close friendship with the highly influential Richard Owen may have contributed to his appointment.

An Illustration of the Humped-Back Dinosaur (Becklespinax altispinax)

Becklespinax – an English dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The design team at CollectA have introduced several dinosaur models based on British fossil finds including a Becklespinas replica: CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models.

Samuel H. Beckles

Samuel H. Beckles collected a large number of fossil specimens from the Weald of Sussex which at the time were described as belonging to the Iguanodon genus. Iguanodon was rapidly becoming a bit of a “catch-all” when it came to large dinosaur bones with affinities to the material described by Gideon Mantell. The Iguanodon genus was completely revised following a study in 2000 which reviewed the British “Iguanodon” material, including a lot of the fossils originally collected by Beckles and now the property of the Natural History Museum (London).

Although more closely associated with the study of dinosaur remains found in southern England, Samuel Beckles played a significant role in helping to interpret the geology and fossil material found on the Isle of Wight. In 1854, he described a series of three-toed prints, the first to be described from the Isle of Wight (Compton Bay).

A Formal Description

In February 1862, he published a formal review of the dinosaur footprints that he had found in the quarterly journal of the Geological Society. The paper had the snappy title – “On some Natural Casts of Reptilian Footprints in the Wealden Beds of the Isle of Wight and of Swanage”.

So today, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Husbands Beckles we take time out to recognise his contribution to geology and palaeontology.

For further information on fossils of dinosaurs from the British Isles check out “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” by Dean R. Lomax and Nobumichi Tamura which is available from Siri Scientific Press: Siri Scientific Press.

21 08, 2014

Plans to Provide a Trail to Utah’s Dinosaur Tracks

By Mike|2023-03-16T09:08:37+00:00August 21st, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Bureau of Land Management Plans to Provide a Trail to Dinosaur Trackway Site

Residents of the town of Moab in Utah are hoping that in the very near future, visitors are going to get much better access to a number of the preserved dinosaur footprints and tracks that have been found in the area. This part of Grand County (Eastern Utah), is famous for its extensive trace fossils of dinosaurs and other Mesozoic creatures, earlier this year, Everything Dinosaur reported on the theft of a three-toed dinosaur footprint. Such thefts are an all too common occurrence these days and news that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning a properly organised dinosaur footprint trail is most welcome.

Dinosaur Trackway Site

To read about the dinosaur footprint theft: Man Charged over Fossil Footprint Theft.

Last month, Utah resident Jared Ehlers, who had originally denied any involvement in the theft, admitted stealing and disposing of a dinosaur footprint fossil. By pleading guilty at a pre-trial hearing, Mr Ehlers was able to have the charges of theft, destruction of evidence and depredation of government property dropped. Under the terms of a plea deal, he was fined $15,000 USD (£9,000 GBP) and ordered to serve a year’s probation, including six months of home confinement.

The tracks that the BLM intend to create a trail for were discovered by a hiker in 2009. Scientists from the University of Colorado in conjunction with the BLM had began excavations last year, over the last few weeks a team of volunteers have been clearing away the last of the surface material in preparation for the first public tours. Up until now the actual location was kept under wraps, this has helped the palaeontologists and ichnologists (specialists who study trace fossils), to map the fossil site and to prevent any potential thefts.

Dinosaur Tracks

Typical Examples of Three-toed Dinosaur Footprints

Theropod print compared to an ornithopod print. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Over Two Hundred Individual Tracks

Over two hundred individual tracks have been uncovered to date and in at least one area an extensive trackway left by a single dinosaur has been discovered. This trackway consists of seventeen consecutive prints. Scientists estimate that at least ten different genera may be represented by the trace fossil material.

For Bureau of Land Management palaeontologist, Rebecca Hunt-Foster, the opportunity to help create a tourist trail leading to a greater understanding of the importance of this area for fossils, may help deter thefts in the future. It is all part of helping to educate and inform local residents and visitors to the area.

Commenting on the significance of the location, the palaeontologist stated:

“It helps kind of to fill in the gaps about these animals that we don’t know much about. We know they were here, but we just don’t find their bones.”

Such is the excellent state of preservation that even the tail drag from a prehistoric crocodile has been identified.

More Research to be Done

It is hoped that once the site has been cleared, BLM staff will finish formally mapping and plotting the extensive trackway using three-dimensional photography (photogrammetry). The fossils were found in strata that make up part of the Ruby Ranch Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation. The fossils are believed to be around 125 million years of age (Late Barremian faunal stage to Early Aptian faunal stage of the Cretaceous). As such, these trace fossils are slightly younger than the majority of the dinosaur footprints and other trace fossils preserved in the exposed Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight.

As the BLM’s regional palaeontologist, Rebecca admits that providing greater access to these sites whilst maintaining their security is a delicate balancing act. For example, a number of the prints were made by a three-toed theropod, these tracks are very similar to the one stolen and subsequently lost earlier this year.

Providing Some Protection

Once the volunteers have finished clearing the site and the mapping is completed, then the scientific value of these trace fossils will have some measure of protection. For having mapped and plotted the tracks very accurately the prints can be replicated, should the fossils be eroded away, damaged or even stolen the data recorded will still permit palaeontologists to study them.

Rebecca explained the importance of the systematic recording of the footprints and other trace fossils by stating:

“We will be able to replicate any of the tracks, should they ever be damaged or destroyed. And, also people will be able to study them without doing damage to the actual surface.”

The Bureau of Land Management is currently fund raising to build a trail to the dinosaur tracks. The agency hopes to have the site open to the public in about six weeks time.

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20 08, 2014

Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” Dismantled and Reimagined

By Mike|2023-03-16T08:59:31+00:00August 20th, 2014|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Pixar’s Animated Dinosaur Adventure – “Dismantled and Reimagined” According to John Lithgow

Dinosaurs and cinema block busters seem made for each other. No time travelling film/exploration of a lost world is complete without at least one or two of the Dinosauria showing up somewhere along the way. For example, in the latest reincarnation of the BBC’s favourite Time Lord, due to hit our television screens this weekend, “The Doctor” is going to encounter dinosaurs in one of the forthcoming episodes.

So, whilst we were waiting for further news of Jurassic Park IV (Jurassic World) and learning all about “Dinosaur 13” via a wonderful documentary directed by Todd Douglas Miller, press releases about Pixar’s animated dinosaur film came to our attention.

“The Good Dinosaur”

Team members at Everything Dinosaur first mentioned that Pixar was going to make an animated feature entitled “The Good Dinosaur” back in the spring of 2012, since then there have been a number of delays and setbacks. The premier being postponed by eighteen months or so and rescheduled for November 2015.

The delay of eighteen months before release came about following the departure of the film’s director. It now turns out that this production has been undergoing a number of significant changes as alluded to by one of the voice over actors – John Lithgow.

The original storyline for the film imagined what would life on Earth be like if that huge extra-terrestrial object that stuck our planet and assisted the demise of the dinosaurs had missed. In essence, in Pixar’s view of the world, the dinosaurs survived and lived alongside early humans. John Lithgow had been contracted to play “Poppa” one of the dinosaur characters featured in the film. In a recent interview, the actor was asked to provide an update on production and he stated that after the director’s departure the entire film was “dismantled” and “completely reimagined.”

Rumours Circulating

There have been lots of rumours surrounding “The Good Dinosaur”. A number of media reports had cited serious issues behind the decision to change directors and expressed concerns over the quality of the story. It seems that John Lithgow’s comments may have given some of these reports credence. From Pixar’s point of view, they want to add to their stable of excellent, award-winning animations, so it is essential that the very best possible film is delivered.

It must be a bit like putting together dinosaur bones for an exhibit, these things take time, the process cannot be rushed and the final result is paramount. At the time of the change in director, Pixar’s President Ed Catmull told the Los Angeles Times:

“Nobody, ever remembers the fact that you slipped a film, but they will remember a bad film. Our conclusion was that we were going to give the film some more time.”

An On-going Project

More time certainly, but reading between the actor’s lines it suggests that Pixar may have begun the project all over again. John Lithgow had recorded his entire role for the voice of “Poppa” one of the daddy dinosaurs in the movie. However, with the changes that are being implemented, John is going to have to re-record his role all over again. The actor went onto explain that the film was coming out and it was going to be better than he ever imagined. All sounds good to us.

In the meantime, for dinosaur themed toys, models and games: Everything Dinosaur.

As far as team members at Everything Dinosaur know, the release date is still scheduled for November 2015, no further delays have been announced. We look forward to seeing the film when it does hit our screens and of course we can’t wait to meet John Lithgow’s character.