University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Robert F. Diffendal, Jr., Publications Natural Resources, School of 2015 Fossils on the Floor: Mosaics in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol R. F. Diffendal University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/diffendal Part of the Geology Commons, Geomorphology Commons, Hydrology Commons, and the Stratigraphy Commons Diffendal, R. F., "Fossils on the Floor: Mosaics in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol" (2015). Robert F. Diffendal, Jr., Publications. 67. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/diffendal/67 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Natural Resources, School of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Robert F. Diffendal, Jr., Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Fossils on the Floor Mosaics in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol by R. F. Diffendal, Jr. R University of Nebraska–Lincoln University of Nebraska–Lincoln Harvey S. Perlman, J.D., Chancellor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Ronald D. Green, Ph.D., NU Vice President and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor John P. Carroll, Ph.D., Director, School of Natural Resources R. M. Joeckel, Ph.D., Associate Director for Conservation and Survey in the School of Natural Resources and State Geologist The Conservation and Survey Division of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the agency designated by statute to investigate and interpret the geologically related natural resources of the State, to make available to the public the results of these investigations, and to assist in the development and conservation of these resources. It consists of program areas in geology, water, soils, and remote sensing-geographic information systems. The division is authorized to enter into agreements with federal and state agencies to engage in cooperative surveys and investigations of the State. Publications of the division and the cooperating agencies are available through the Conservation and Survey Division, 101 Hardin Hall, University of Nebraska– Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0961. Contact the address above, phone: (402) 472-3471, or e-mail snrsales@ unl.edu. The Conservation and Survey Division web site is: http://snr.unl.edu/csd/. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation. The University of Nebraska– Lincoln is an equal opportunity educator and employer with a comprehensive plan for diversity. July 2015 About the Author Robert F. Diffendal, Jr. is Professor Emeritus in the Conservation and Survey Division (Nebraska Geological Survey) of the School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a volunteer curator of invertebrate fossils for the University of Nebraska State Museum. He has prepared geologic maps of many areas of Nebraska and has written many articles, reports and guidebooks about the geology of Nebraska and adjacent parts of the plains. He has spoken to and led field trips for thousands of school children over the years, showing them the wonderful geologic features of Nebraska and other parts of the world. ISBN 1-56161-046-1 ISBN-13 978-1-56161-046-4 Front Cover – Sabre-Toothed Cat Smilodon (Fossil 38). Composite of a pastel drawing by Erwin H. Barbour and a mosaic by Hildreth Meière. Back Cover – Eurypterid Eurypterus (Fossil 5). Pastel drawing by Erwin H. Barbour. Fossils on the Floor Mosaics in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol By R. F. Diffendal, Jr., Professor Emeritus Conservation and Survey Division School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska–Lincoln Educational Circular 24 2015 Revised September 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 1 Creating the Mosaics.......................................................................................................................... 2 The Main Participants in the Rotunda Floor Project......................................................... 2 Materials Used to Produce the Mosaics............................................................................... 2 Who Chose the Plants and Animals Included in the Mosaics?........................................ 2 How Many Drawings Did Professor Barbour Make?........................................................ 4 Construction of the Mosaics................................................................................................. 4 From Concept to Design........................................................................................................ 5 Tables................................................................................................................................................... 9 Table 1. Reported Materials Used on the Rotunda Floor................................................. 9 Table 2. Identifications of Fossil Types Depicted on the Capitol Rotunda Floor.......... 10 Table 3. Lists of Sets of Colored Barbour Drawings of Fossils Sent to Meière.............. 12 Table 4. Barbour’s drawings and Meière’s Usage................................................................ 14 In the Rotunda.................................................................................................................................... 17 The Drawings and the Mosaics........................................................................................................ 17 The Genius of Water 18 Fossil 1. Crinoid Eupachycrinus............................................................................ 19 Fossils 2. and 4. Sea Urchin....................................................................................... 20 Fossil 3. Starfish......................................................................................................... 21 Fossil 5. Eurypterid Eurypterus............................................................................. 22 Fossil 6. Trilobite....................................................................................................... 23 Fossil 7. Nautiloid Goldringia................................................................................ 24 Fossil 8. Teleost Fish.................................................................................................. 25 Fossil 9. Jawless Fish Cephalaspis.......................................................................... 26 Fossil 10. Ichthyosaur................................................................................................. 27 Fossil 11. Plesiosaur.................................................................................................... 28 Fossil 12. Swimming Bird Hesperornis.................................................................. 29 The Genius of Volcanic Fire 30 Fossil 13. Tree Fern..................................................................................................... 31 Fossil 14. Eurypterid Ctenopterus...........................................................................32 Fossil 15. Onychophoran........................................................................................... 33 Fossil 16. Amphibian Eryops.................................................................................. 34 Fossil 17. Tortoise....................................................................................................... 35 Fossil 18. Mosasaur Tylosaurus.............................................................................. 36 Fossil 19. Dinosaur Diplodocus.............................................................................. 37 Fossil 20. Dinosaur Edmontosaurus....................................................................... 38 Fossil 21. Dinosaur Stegosaurus..............................................................................39 Fossil 22. Dinosaur Triceratops............................................................................... 40 ii The Genius of Air 41 Fossil 23. Magnolia..................................................................................................... 42 Fossil 24. Butterfly Prodryas................................................................................... 43 Fossil 25. Dragonfly.................................................................................................... 44 Fossil 26. Pterosaur Pteranodon............................................................................. 45 Fossil 27. Diving Bird and Egg Ichthyornis............................................................ 46 Fossil 28. Flightless Bird Gastornis........................................................................ 47 Fossil 29. Songbird - Meadowlark............................................................................ 48 Fossil 30. Falcon......................................................................................................... 49 Fossil 31. Owl.............................................................................................................. 50 Fossil 32. Bat................................................................................................................ 51 The Genius of Earth 52 Fossil 33. Deciduous Tree Liquidambar................................................................. 53 Fossil 34. Glyptodont................................................................................................