The Alabama Museum of Natural History and the Department of Museum Research and Collections hosted “Alabama Fossil Fest,” previously known as “Alabama’s National Fossil Day Celebration,” at Smith Hall on Saturday. The event allowed visitors to explore hundreds of new fossils and view the unveiling of the museum’s newest centerpiece exhibit.
Fourteen tables were set up in the main gallery of the museum, each providing a look at a different collection of fossils or providing an educational activity. Three of the tables were by the museum, three were by the Department of Museum Research and Collections and the other eight were by other organizations or private collectors, including the Elevation Science Institute, the Alabama Paleontological Society, the Birmingham Paleontological Society and the Geological Survey of Alabama.
During the tabling, the museum unveiled its latest exhibit: a cast of the skull of the Deinosuchus schwimmeri — a massive, prehistoric crocodilian — and “subsequent vertabrae material.”
“That crocodile is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I don’t know what I’d do if I saw something like that alive,” said Miriam Hill, a sophomore majoring in marine biology. “I don’t think I want to go into paleontology as a career, but it’s nice to keep up with the research and different findings.”
The D. schwimmeri’s species was named after Fossil Fest’s keynote speaker, David Schwimmer, a professor of earth and space science at Columbus State University.
Adiël Klompmaker, the curator of paleontology in the Department of Museum Research and Collections, said the team had been “sitting” on the exhibit since mid-June, but “knew it would be ready about this time.” After publication, Rebecca Johnson, a communications specialist for the museum, emailed The Crimson White and said the museum was “never ‘sitting’ on the exhibit” and the vertebrae was “already on view” with the skull being the recent addition.
“People really love to talk about their fossils. Behind every fossil is a story. They found the each specimen, and they want to share what it means to them,” Klompmaker said. “Often, they just want to convey their enthusiasm to the younger generation.”
Admission to the museum was free for the event. UA students and families from across Alabama alike attended to get a closer look at the fossils.
“I loved the Fossil Fest. It’s so cool seeing all the different fossils you can find in Alabama,” said Emma Bosarge, a freshman majoring in psychology who works at the museum. “I love doing this kind of stuff. Paleontology or any kind of history is really cool. Everyone should get involved in the museum. We always want new people, and it’s super fun and a cool experience.”
Klompmaker said last year’s event had at least 200 attendees, while this year there were estimated to be around 300. Johnson said in a statement after publication that there were over 400 attendees.
“People can interact with a number of paleontologists here. It’s really the biggest fossil activity that we have in the state,” Klompmaker said. “There are so many people interested. This could be the event that inspires young people to become the future of paleontology.”
Editors note: The story has been updated to correct errors and include additional information; This is the first iteration of the event under the “Alabama Fossil Fest” name, this event is not annual. Each hosting group had three tables, the Museum did not have six. The correct term for the creature was “crocodilian,” not “crocodile.” The event unveiled “a cast of the skull” and “subsequent vertebrae material,” not all 175 bones. The “D. schwimmeri” was named after David Schwimmer, not discovered by him. Klompmaker’s quote in the last paragraph was updated to reflect his exact words: Klompmaker said the event was the largest in the state, not the largest “as far as I know.”
The fossil shown in the photo is a fossilized whale, not a dinosaur.
