Giants of the Mesozoic
A prehistoric battle of gigantic proportions unfolds in the permanent exhibition Giants of the Mesozoic, filling the Museum's Great Hall. This exhibition recreates life in the badlands of Patagonia, Argentina, where the largest dinosaurs in the world were unearthed.
Visitors stand at the feet of the world's largest dinosaurs immersed in a prehistoric snapshot that surrounds them in a predator-versus-prey clash.
Argentinosaurus defends itself from a surprise attack by Giganotosaurus, while a flock of 21 Pterodaustro and three Anhanguera scatter overhead in reaction to the commotion.
Viewers can observe the interaction between four types of prehistoric reptiles from the Cretaceous Period of 145-65 million years ago, as well as other creatures with which they shared their world.
Giants of the Mesozoic includes additional fossil casts to further demonstrate the diversity of prehistoric life in Patagonia. The simulated rockwork beneath the dinosaurs contains casts of animals and plants that lived during the Cretaceous period. Visitors will also find pterosaur and dinosaur tracks, remnants from an Auracaria tree, a fossilized crocodile and a turtle shell.
All of the fossils on display in Giants of the Mesozoic are cast replicas of the original specimens. The fossilized bones remain in Argentina, where they are considered a national treasure.
- Cast of Characters
- Podcast (5.31MB MP3; Right click on the link to the left and "Save Target As" to save the item to your hard disk.)
We are grateful to the following sponsors, whose generosity has made this exhibition possible: Miller Family Foundation; Wachovia Bank Foundation; Livingston Foundation, Inc.; The David, Helen and Marian Woodward Fund; The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; The Raymond M. Cash Foundation, Inc.; United Parcel Service; The Price Gilbert, Jr. Charitable Fund; and Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc.