Fossils tell much about the past

Anne-Marie Emerson | 29th July 2010

The mysterious world of fossils will be revealed at the Whanganui Regional Museum tomorrow.

The theme for this month's Kiwi Conservation Club is fossils, and children will have the
opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of fossils from the museum's archives.

Delicate spiral shells, giant mammoth teeth, dinosaur bones, and fossilized wood are just
some of the treasures the museum holds.

Museum educator Margie Beautrais said fossils were once living organisms that had been
entombed in rock millions of years ago.

"Fossils can tell us about evolution, extinction, ecology, climate change and continental drift."

She said Wanganui was an important area for fossils.

"They can easily be found on the coastline and in the rivers. There's a famous fossil site on the Whanganui River Rd full of extinct oyster shells."

Mrs Beautrais said the fossils from the museum's archives would be put on display
after the Kiwi Conservation Club meeting for the public to enjoy.

The museum's visitor experience officer Mandy Brooke said Friday's meeting would give
children the opportunity to have a close look at the fossils.

They would also learn how to identify fossils that can be found locally.

"So next time they're at Castlecliff beach they'll be able to find fossils for themselves."

+ Kiwi Conservation Club will be held at the Whanganui Regional Museum at 6.30pm on
Friday, July 30. Sessions are designed for primary age children but all are welcome. Cost
is $2 per family.