October 2011 Raptor Review Issue 24 Inside This Edition With the completion of the Paleo- From The Director Item Page by Dr. Kenneth Carpenter Indian, work is now focused on re- Lab & Quarry 2 doing the Utahraptor skeleton for Gift Shop 3 In the last issue of the Raptor Re- display. Progress has been slow Collections 4 view, I mentioned that we were as- owning to other obligations this Education and Exhibits 5 sembling a plastic replica of a mod- summer, such as field work, but we ern human skeleton, which would hope to have the skeleton in place be a stand-in for a Paleo-Indian. by the Holidays. Field work was That skeleton is now complete and greatly hampered this summer by joins the Huntington mammoth on rain (it’s not supposed to rain in Editor/Layout its base. The human skeleton is of the desert!). Nevertheless, several Christine K. Trease a robust Asian male, thus makes a promising sites were found in the good representative for a Paleo-In- Upper Cretaceous North Horn and Advisory Board dian (Native Americans are thought Upper Triassic Chinle formations. Ken Fleck-Charirman to have immigrated from Asia dur- In addition, several trips were made Tim Gwyther-Vice Chairman ing the latter part of the Ice Age). to the Lower Cretaceous Suarez Sis- Debra Dull Although there is some doubt about ters site near Green River. We hope Dave O’Brien the two projectile points allegedly to collect enough Falcarius bones to Scott Woodward found at the mammoth site, mam- mount a skeleton for the new muse- Charles Semborski moth kill sites are known from else- um. Falcarius was a medium-sized Maurine Tanner where in the U.S. So, although no plant-eater, whose closest relatives Mark Bunnell Paleo-Indian is known to have killed were meat-eaters, such as Utahrap- Andrew Urbanik the Huntington mammoth, what is tor, odd as that may seem. Falcarius Bruce Burgess shown by the poses of the skeletons was in a lineage of carnivores that Dennis Willis did happen elsewhere. became plant-eaters, something that Dr. Joe Peterson-Chancellor USU-CEU happened several different times Kenneth Carpenter PhD-Museum Director during dinosaur evolution. This, and other weird but true stories will be featured in the new museum Emeritus Board – watch for them! Don Burge-Founding Director Bill Branson Marvin Mabbutt Bruce Burgess Page 2 Lab & Quarry most abundant, however we have been finding more of the large nodosaur (unfortunately not the skull).

At the museum, my time is spent removing paint and a little prep work on the stegosaur and the ca- Dem Bones, Dem Bones marasaur from Cleveland-Lloyd By John Bird Dinosaur Quarry. In the 60’s when Over the summer the field crew of we acquired these specimens, it was Dr. Carpenter-Museum Director and Paleontologist the museum with the help of a few a common practice to paint the en- volunteers has been searching the tire mount. This way all the bones Chinle formation in the San Rafael looked the same. Fortunately, today Swell. We have been looking for showing what is real and what is the remains of critters that roamed cast is more common. This mod- this area during the Triassic. The ern practice is great for us since we museum’s collections contain few have a lot of actual fossil bone on specimens from this time and we display. are determined to find some speci- mens to expand our displays at the We are continuing to expand our museum in the future. world class collection as the mu- seum enters it’s 2nd half centu- ry. I wish to remember those who have worked at the museum and the many, many volunteers who put in Yvonne Wilson Museum Volunteer so many hours to make the museum We have been successful in finding what it is today. I have had the priv- some phytosaur material but so far ilege to meet many of them. Their we have not found what we need to labors are greatly appreciated. create a display. So we keep look- ing. Phytosaurs looked a lot like Until the next news letter- crocodiles, only uglier. John

We have also had some time to ex- cavate in the Suarez site near Green River. The site continues to yield more fossil bone. Bones of the Museum crew and volunteers in the field therizinosaur, Falcarius are the Page 3 Gift Shop

Blubandoo Products are great! The Neckbandoo (shown below) Plush WOWS and Wild Watchers has a tie closure that can be worn make cuddly friends! Plush Tumblers come in two sizes tied around the neck or head. The and a variety of species and colors. cooling band is narrow and so it’s They make great gifts, stocking just the right size and lightweight, stuffers and are as cuddly as they yet effective. look! With weighted feet, they can be “posed” in a variety of positions. The Bandoorag (pictured below right) is for the trendier person or for those who may want a little add- Memberships ed top-of-the-head sun protection. The cooling bandana includes a two Dinosaur Ludo and Ladders Game We have revised the memberships channel, flat bandoo design for op- to include an individual member- timum forehead cooling. Bikers and Two Dinosaur Games in One! shp for $25.00, which has never young folks love this product! been offered before-and a $100.00 DINOSAUR LUDO At each step of Utahraptor, (revised Sabertooth) The Sport Capbandoo (pictured be- this exciting game of chasing and level that includes different perks. low left) is solid cotton for top-of- escaping you have to demonstrate This level includes Standard family the-head sun protection with breath- the swiftness of the wild in guiding membership benefits for two adults able polyester mesh for fashionable your dinosaurs to the safety of home, plus free admission for 10 children, look. Each Sport Capbandoo also in- protecting them from other dinos on grandchildren or guests per party cludes an adjustable hook and loop the prowl. If you can outsmart the per visit. This is exciting because it closure to fit just about everyone. other contenders, you become the seems to fill a niche that has been rightful King of the Beasts! needed for some time now. The cooling Safari Hatbandoo has the Bandoo constructed right (pic- DINOSAUR LADDERS Ride your In addition, gallery exhibit open- tured bottom center) into the hat to luck to climb the ladder of success ing swill be for members only. This create surround-the-head cooling in the Dinos & Ladders game, but gives members a sneak peek of the performance. This oversized brim remember not to make mistake of gallery event and a fun night out. meets and exceeds dermatologist’s landing on the dinosaurs, else you recommended brim size. Great for slide down their whole length till For questions about memberships outdoor activities! you drop down their tails. please contact Christine Trease by phone at (435) 613-5757 or by We hope you remember the museum email at [email protected] gift shop for your gift giving needs. or visit our website museum.ceu. Purchases from the gift shop are a edu and click on the members link great way to support the museum. for details and applications. The Holidays are just around the corner. Stop by for great gifts! Page 4 Collections we find pieces that stand out. Ob- our collection. Dave, we couldn’t jects made with true artistry for both have done it without you! If you are function and aesthetics. Maybe a interested in volunteering with us, stone tool that is made of a unique please leave a message for Archae- and colorful rock. Maybe one pot ology Collections at 435-613-5765. sherd has a wonderful painted de- sign or applied texture. For the ar- One last note: on September 22 we chaeologist, these may not be the loaned the Mickelsen Pot to the Mu- most important artifacts. Some- seum of the San Rafael. times the average or ordinary ob- jects tell more information about the lives of prehistoric people. But the beautiful ones do make great ex- What’s New in Archaeology by Yvonne Wilson hibits. They also show what people of the past thought was worthy of Good news on the museum’s ar- their significant effort and resources chaeology front-we have been given invested in making these extraordi- the okay to start the search for a new nary pieces. So in the lab we are Pot in situ archaeologist. We have missed Dr. keeping a look out for new things Renee Barlow’s expertise and pas- to show the public. Also, one other sion for research. Perhaps the next purpose of the inventory is to update newsletter will have an announce- the storage containers of items that ment of our new hire. came to us decades ago. We must protect these objects in chemically In the archaeology lab, the major stable containers. As we perform project underway is a complete col- the inventory we can change out lection inventory. This inventory is any acidic storage boxes that might not just a tallying of each object. It harm our artifacts. also will allow us to rediscover the Casey Mickelsen depth and strengths of our collection. A new batch of volunteers has ar- We moved both the artifact and the In order to plan our new museum, rived to help with our massive in- entire exhibit case to Castle Dale. we are trying to identify artifacts ventory project. Three members of Casey Mickelsen found this Kay- that would make great new exhib- the Castle Valley Archaeology Soci- enta Hisatsinom (aka Anasazi) ce- its. As with any museum, there are ety and seven students in Dr. Pam ramic pot and a small fibrous mat many objects that the public hasn’t Miller’s Museum Studies class have tucked behind a boulder in Emery seen. In general, archaeology col- offered their time to the archaeol- County, on Forest Service land. lections are comprised mostly of ogy section. The inventory is an Forest Service archaeologist Char- pottery sherds and lithics because important process and we appreci- maine Thompson gave an interest- animal and plant products decom- ate our new and current volunteers ing lecture about the Mickelson Pot pose quickly. So, yes, we have helping to make it possible. We at the September meeting of the many more pot sherds than the aver- would also like to extend a special Castle Valley Archaeological So- age person would care to see. They thanks to volunteer David Cassidy, ciety. Emery County is extremely are very important to the scientists, who teaches computer classes at proud of this rare find, and we are but they would overwhelm a visitor. USU Eastern. With new collection happy to see the pot exhibited closer Thus, large numbers of objects are management software and Dave’s to where it was found. Perhaps our kept in storage. Our inventory goes computer expertise, the museum collection inventory will help us through all the items in storage, and can finally access an important da- find a wonderful exhibit to fill the every so often tabase on a significant addition to open space where the pot was. Education & Exhibits Page 5 tebrates. Despite rain nearly ev- I am currently in the planning stage ery day, clouds of biting gnats, and for a new exhibit on rugose (horn) overeating Ken’s great cooking, it corals to help interpret a massive was a fun three days. I did discover block of fossil corals found near that I was allergic to gnat bites when Arches National Park. This exhibit both of my ears swelled shut and I should be complete by the end of could hear nothing for over a day the year. – but I am looking forward to going back soon to check out the leads we The museum had a special visitor found. in late July; ten-year-old Douglas Rosa from Weehawken, NJ was a The Huntington Mammoth base recipient of a trip to see Dinosaur continues to evolve with the addi- National Monument and the Prehis- tion of a human (skeleton) with dart toric Museum. Douglas is a special and atlatl attacking the mammoth. young man who was diagnosed last One dart has already lodged in the year with leukemia. He was ecstatic Education and Exhibits rib cage and the hunter is readying about seeing dinosaur bones and his By Lloyd E. Logan to cast another dart at the mammoth. parents and I were extremely happy Ken Carpenter, with his usual flair to learn that he is responding very As I sit here at my desk deciding for dramatic action and anatomical well to medical treatment and a full what to write for this newsletter, it is hard to believe that summer is accuracy, prepared this spectacular recovery is expected. His parents, winding down, children are back in addition to the diorama. Many visi- Carlos and Kathy Rosa, were so im- school, school tours have already tors have made positive comments pressed with the time and attention started, and fall is just around the about it since it was installed. If lavished on Douglas (and siblings) corner – with winter not that far be- you haven’t seen it, be sure to stop while they were here at the museum hind! As a child, I remember think- by and see this latest update in the that they sent the museum a gen- ing that each year would never end Hall of Archaeology. erous donation as a “thank you”. but as I have gotten older, I have dis- Hang in there Douglas, you are a covered that the laws of physics are The “Living Fossils” exhibit contin- special young man and I am glad to suspended (or at least bent) as far as ues to evolve as well. Recent addi- have met you. time goes. Years are not nearly as tions include a specimen of a mod- Be sure to stop by before the 12th of long now as when I was a child. ern green sea turtle, a genus that has November to see the temporary ex- been around since the Cretaceous. hibit Snakes, Sheep, and Shaman, a Since the last newsletter, we have Other new additions to the display joint show by world famous photog- been busy with a variety of proj- include a juvenile caiman skeleton rapher Francois Gohier and award ects. One project that I especially and a fossil fresh-water turtle, both winning fine artist Joe Venus. This enjoyed was a survey trip for micro- from the Eocene Green River For- show will emphasize Utah Rock Art vertebrate fossils near Joe’s Valley. mation. and the Fremont lifestyle. Both art- On this trip I accompanied Museum ists have had well-received shows Director Dr. Ken Carpenter, his wife We also have a new exhibit featur- at the museum previously and Joe Yvonne Wilson, new lab assistant ing the skulls of the armored dino- Venus painted the Ice Age Mural in Casey Dooms, and volunteer Ralph saurs Cedarpelta and Anamantarx, our Hall of Archaeology. Escamilla in search of new fossil which replaces the old armored di- material for future exhibits. While nosaur vertebrae exhibit. John Bird As always, come in and see our we found very few microvertebrate reconstructed the skull of Cedarpel- progress in making your museum remains, we did find some very ta from skull fragments of two indi- a fun and educational place to visit. promising leads for larger ver- viduals and several pounds of clay. See you soon! Prehistoric Museum 155 East Main Street Price, Utah 84501 Visit us on the web at http://museum.ceu.edu

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