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Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries


Classroom Activity

Be a Trackway Detective

What can you tell from looking at a fossil record of dinosaur footprints? Everything from which dinosaur was there first to what they might have feasted on.


Curriculum Materials

Bigger Than You Think

Not all dinosaurs were enormous like the 84-foot-long, 30-ton Apatosaurus. TheCompsognathus, for example, approximated an eight-pound chicken. Size up two others.


Curriculum Materials

What is a Fossil?

The most common fossils are bones and teeth, but not all fossils are body parts. Explore the wide-ranging evidence of ancient life that scientists use to understand Earth's prehistoric past.


Curriculum Materials

How Big Were Dinosaurs?

How many times would your footprint fit into that of a large dinosaur? Could all of your classmate's feet fill up the small crater? Find out with this personalized look at the 35-ton Apatosaur.


Curriculum Materials

Grouping Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs all belong to the same group, but within that group there are many subsets—meat-eating dinosaurs, four-legged dinosaurs, and so on. Try your hand at classification with these eight dinosaur illustrations.


Classroom Activity

Dinosaur Names

Some dinosaur names are short, while others are lengthy tongue twisters. But all are infused with meaning. Examine the linguistic roots of these terrible (deinos) lizards (sauros). 



Meet the Paleontologists: Jin Meng

Jin Meng studies the morphology, systematics, and evolution of mammals, particularly early mammals. Unlike some paleontologists who focus primarily upon teeth and dentition as their evidence, Dr. Meng examines the cranium, ear region, and enamel microstructure of teeth as sources of data to address evolutionary issues concerning mammals.



Observe a Dinosaur

Ever wish you could watch a dinosaur in action? Investigate modern birds for an insightful look at how ancient dinosaurs moved and behaved.


American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024-5192
Phone: 212-769-5100

Open daily from 10 am-5:45 pm
except on Thanksgiving and Christmas
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