Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, formerly known as the Morden and District Museum, is located in Morden, Manitoba
in the lower level of the Morden Recreational Complex. The museum
currently houses the largest collection of marine reptile
fossil
s in Canada. (Janzic and Hatcher 2008; Nicholls 1988)
The Discovery Centre also houses numerous specimens of the Cretaceous squid Tusoteuthis longa; these specimens represent the northern most known occurrence of these molluscs in the Cretaceous seas of North America
. (Nicholls and Isaak, 1987).
The prized specimen is a 43-foot (13 m) long mosasaur fossil, the second largest in North America.
Fossil dig programs continue each summer from May to September along the Manitoba Escarpment. A short necked plesiosaur
specimen 26 feet (7.9 m) long was excavated in 2004/5, and the curator Anita Janzic has published two scientific abstracts on the specimen and its stomach contents. (Janzic 2007; Janzic 2006)
Details of the entire fossil collection are being digitized and uploaded to www.discoverfossils.com in a groundbreaking move to provide access to the fossil collection to paleontology researchers and students worldwide. Other projects include a series of 4 education kits for grades K - 12, which will bring the museum content and subject matter into the Manitoba school curriculum.
The renowned film producer, David Rabinovitch of Fleetwood Films has produced a 4 minute introductory film, a 20 minute educational film and is working to secure funding to produce a documentary film. The film will include the story of how 'Bruce' the huge mosasaur on display in the museum gallery was discovered on the Manitoba Escarpment, was then excavated and brought to the Town of Morden; and how this started the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre back in 1971.
and geology
. Current research is focused on marine paleoecology of the Western Interior Seaway, stomach contents of plesiosaurs, stratigraphic cartography
and the use of ArcGIS along with geochemical analysis of the bentonite stringers located in the upland region of Pembina Mountain. Visiting researchers from Japan
, China
, and the United States
are also assisting us with various other research endeavours relating to the marine waters of the Late Cretaceous Period in Manitoba
.
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre hosts the bi-annual Manitoba Paleontology Symposium to help facilitate awareness of this research and the overall advancement of paleontological research within the province and throughout the various communities of Canadian paleontology.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Morden, Manitoba
Morden is a small town with a population of 6571 located in the Pembina Valley region of southern Manitoba, Canada. Morden is less than ten minutes west of neighbouring Winkler, and a relatively short distance to Pembina Valley Provincial Park...
in the lower level of the Morden Recreational Complex. The museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
currently houses the largest collection of marine reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s in Canada. (Janzic and Hatcher 2008; Nicholls 1988)
Collections
Field excavations occur along the Manitoba Escarpment area of the Pembina Hills in the Red River Valley. Most fossils that are collected are from the Pembina and Millwood Members of the Pierre Shale. In the summer of 2009, field staff were working on the multi-species death assemblage. This last summer (2010) has been filled with many new discoveries, including the "Xiphactinus Kill Zone," which received international press. Preparation will be underway this winter to try to have the specimens up on display for next summer.The Discovery Centre also houses numerous specimens of the Cretaceous squid Tusoteuthis longa; these specimens represent the northern most known occurrence of these molluscs in the Cretaceous seas of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. (Nicholls and Isaak, 1987).
Programs
The Discovery Centre offers school programs, guided tours, summer day camps, paleo tours, fossil dig programs and much more. The museum has a large database of research information pertaining to the fossil collection from the Late Cretaceous Period.The prized specimen is a 43-foot (13 m) long mosasaur fossil, the second largest in North America.
Fossil dig programs continue each summer from May to September along the Manitoba Escarpment. A short necked plesiosaur
Plesiosaur
Plesiosauroidea is an extinct clade of carnivorous plesiosaur marine reptiles. Plesiosauroids, are known from the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods...
specimen 26 feet (7.9 m) long was excavated in 2004/5, and the curator Anita Janzic has published two scientific abstracts on the specimen and its stomach contents. (Janzic 2007; Janzic 2006)
Plans
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre is in the early fundraising stages to build a new 'state of the art' museum just west of the town of Morden, Manitoba with a net zero energy theme. The plans include a new field station on the Manitoba Escarpment. The project is slated for completion by 2017.Details of the entire fossil collection are being digitized and uploaded to www.discoverfossils.com in a groundbreaking move to provide access to the fossil collection to paleontology researchers and students worldwide. Other projects include a series of 4 education kits for grades K - 12, which will bring the museum content and subject matter into the Manitoba school curriculum.
Multimedia
To bring some lighthearted fun but still educational themes to the museum, Lulu and the Tomcat the popular musical duo have written, performed and recorded a series of fossil related songs which are available in the museum gift shop on CD or as a CD and 7 book kit called 'Fossil Rock'.The renowned film producer, David Rabinovitch of Fleetwood Films has produced a 4 minute introductory film, a 20 minute educational film and is working to secure funding to produce a documentary film. The film will include the story of how 'Bruce' the huge mosasaur on display in the museum gallery was discovered on the Manitoba Escarpment, was then excavated and brought to the Town of Morden; and how this started the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre back in 1971.
Research
Scientific research is at an all time high in the museum departments of vertebrate paleontologyPaleontology
Paleontology "old, ancient", ὄν, ὀντ- "being, creature", and λόγος "speech, thought") is the study of prehistoric life. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments...
and geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
. Current research is focused on marine paleoecology of the Western Interior Seaway, stomach contents of plesiosaurs, stratigraphic cartography
Cartography
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.The fundamental problems of traditional cartography are to:*Set the map's...
and the use of ArcGIS along with geochemical analysis of the bentonite stringers located in the upland region of Pembina Mountain. Visiting researchers from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
are also assisting us with various other research endeavours relating to the marine waters of the Late Cretaceous Period in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
.
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre hosts the bi-annual Manitoba Paleontology Symposium to help facilitate awareness of this research and the overall advancement of paleontological research within the province and throughout the various communities of Canadian paleontology.
Honours
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre was given the status of a “Manitoba Star Attraction” in 2005 by Travel Manitoba and is truly a must-see destination for children, families, paleo-enthusiasts and anyone interested in the natural world or just passing through town. The museum is open every day except for designated holidays and is conveniently located in the lower level of the Morden Recreational Centre. Simply follow all of the “Manitoba Star Attraction” signs to the museum and prepare yourself for an adventure 83 million years in the making!Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.