The Alabama Museum of Natural History will be hosting the fourth annual National Fossil Day event in the Grand Gallery on Wednesday, October 12 from 4:00-6:00 PM.

National Fossil Day is a celebration to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational values. Past events have included fossil displays, fossil identification, games and activities, and an opportunity to interact with the community. The event is free and open to the public and has seen great success in past years.

BPS will set up a display table, which will include fossils from Alabama, some fossil samples, and photos from BPS field trips.  A highlight will be photos from the fossil dig where BPS members found and excavated the remains of a new species of hadrosaurid in 2007.  It was found in the Mooreville Chalk Formation, and was described in 2016, when it was given the scientific name Eotrachodon orientalis.  We call it "Big Greg".  This fossil is renowned for having "an exceptionally well-preserved skull".    James Lamb was the excavation leader, ensuring the bones were properly documented, excavated, and protected.  The fossils are now housed at McWane Science Center.  Research details can be found on PeerJ, in the article titled: Anatomy and osteohistology of the basal hadrosaurid dinosaur Eotrachodon from the uppermost Santonian (Cretaceous) of southern Appalachia. 

Please stop by and visit the exhibitors!