Dinosaurs of China exhibition - Nottingham

[DinoToyForum]

"Featuring fossils and specimens never before seen outside of Asia, the exhibition, which will be hosted at Wollaton Hall, with an additional satellite exhibition at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, will bring to life the story of how dinosaurs evolved into the birds that live alongside us today.

The exhibition includes the best preserved dinosaur fossils from anywhere in the world, not just the bones, but also soft parts including skin and feathers. Many of the species are new to science, only discovered and named in the last 20 years, and some as recently as 2015."

See here for more details:

http://www.mynottinghamnews.com/dinosaurs/
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2016/february/worlds-largest-feathered-dinosaur-coming-to-nottingham.aspx

Now you know why I'm so busy. The Nottingham Natural History Museum, Wollaton Hall, could be an especially good venue for a Dinotoyforum meet-up in 2017!?

The exhibition will also include several huge dinosaur skeleton casts, including Gigantoraptor.

[ceratopsian]

Very exciting!  It would provide a wonderful opportunity for meeting up - and maybe having a special guided tour!

[Moodyraptor]

Very exciting!  Can't wait. 

[ceratopsian]

I hope that you have made clear to the museum shop what they should be selling to go with the exhibition!

[DinoToyForum]

I hope that you have made clear to the museum shop what they should be selling to go with the exhibition!

I'll do my best! There are dinosaurs in the museum shop right now, but not necessarily ones we'd consider adding to our own collections!

[ceratopsian]

That's exactly what I expected you to say, I fear!  Seriously, I'm really looking forward to this.  I have a soft spot for Wollaton Hall, as it was my local museum when I was a child.

[DinoToyForum]

That's exactly what I expected you to say, I fear!  Seriously, I'm really looking forward to this.  I have a soft spot for Wollaton Hall, as it was my local museum when I was a child.

So, you'll be acquainted with George the Gorilla then. You might even remember when the giraffe was located in the main hall? Funny to think that some giant long-necked dinosaurs will be in his old spot next summer!

[DinoToyForum]

Nice video report filmed today at the museum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y86entkYU68

[ceratopsian]

So, you'll be acquainted with George the Gorilla then. You might even remember when the giraffe was located in the main hall? Funny to think that some giant long-necked dinosaurs will be in his old spot next summer!

I do indeed remember the giraffe and marvelling at it - though it looked a bit moth-eaten!  I have strong memories of a couple of large ammonites.  And of the aquarium-sized dioramas of stuffed animals.  This would have been in the 1960s and early 1970s.

[DinoToyForum]

So, you'll be acquainted with George the Gorilla then. You might even remember when the giraffe was located in the main hall? Funny to think that some giant long-necked dinosaurs will be in his old spot next summer!

I do indeed remember the giraffe and marvelling at it - though it looked a bit moth-eaten!  I have strong memories of a couple of large ammonites.  And of the aquarium-sized dioramas of stuffed animals.  This would have been in the 1960s and early 1970s.

It still is rather worn, but that's the price we pay for having it on open display. It is essentially a handling specimen these days. The ammonites are still on display, but many of the large dioramas were dismantled.

[Sim]

This looks good!  Have you been enjoying working on this, Dr Admin?

I have to comment on Gigantoraptor being referred to as the largest feathered dinosaur known though, as I think that was only considered true until 2012.  No Gigantoraptor fossils preserve evidence of feathers as far as I know, although now there's no reason to think it would have been featherless.  However, there are two dinosaurs that are larger than Gigantoraptor and which have fossils that preserve evidence of feathers: Yutyrannus and Deinocheirus.

Gigantoraptor is an amazing animal, and being one of the largest feathered dinosaurs is no less impressive than being the largest one.  It is still easily the largest oviraptorosaur though.

[suspsy]

Deinocheirus was definitely larger than Gigantoraptor, but Yutyrannus appears to have been smaller. They probably weighed around the same.

[Sim]

My understanding is prehistoric animal lengths are normally measured along the vertebral column in a straight line, and not hypothetical life position.  Neither of those size comparisons take that into account.  That makes both a bit too big, but the Gigantoraptor is affected more because of its greater curves.

Gigantoraptor appears to have been a bit taller than Yutyrannus, while Yutyrannus is a bit longer than Gigantoraptor.  They would have probably been an overall similar size.  Gigantoraptor's weight has been estimated at 1400 kg, Yutyrannus's at 1414 kg, so you're right they probably weighed around the same.

And yes, Deinocheirus is definitely bigger than both!

[DinoToyForum]

Yes, there are some caveats to consider!

[DinoToyForum]

The BBC picked up on the announcement:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35614151

They give the impression that the actual fossil bones of Gigantoraptor will be displayed, but this particular specimen will be a cast.

[ceratopsian]

It occurred to me to ask: do you know if anything is planned to accompany the exhibition?  E.g. a day conference?  Anything of that sort?

[DinoToyForum]

It occurred to me to ask: do you know if anything is planned to accompany the exhibition?  E.g. a day conference?  Anything of that sort?

Too early to say but when further details are announced I'll share them here

[ceratopsian]

Too early to say but when further details are announced I'll share them here

Thank you!

[DinoToyForum]

The exhibition needs a name! You can tell us which of the three versions we've come up with you like best, or suggest your own, in this poll:

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKNCC/bulletins/1395426

I'd be especially interested in the opinions of this forum. 

[DinoToyForum]

The exhibition now has an official name and is seeking sponsors!



More info in the following press release: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2016/may/dinosaur-super-predators-in-search-of-sponsors.aspx

The story also reveals another species included in the exhibition: Sinraptor!