During 2010 we will be reconstructing part of a skeleton from a truly massive Iguanodon that has been generously donated to the museum by local collector Nick Chase. The skeleton was found by Nick many years ago, entombed in hard blocks of rock. He collected these blocks over many weeks and then set about the task of removing the first of the bones from its rocky matrix. A number of bones are still encased in this grey rock, and work has taken place over the last few months to expose them. During this work it has become apparent that the bones of the spine are still in their original places, including having gaps between the vertebrae where the intervertebral discs would originally have been. The superb preservation of the articulated bones suggests that the animal was overcome, and swiftly buried, by muddy flood water.
Building the display will start during the Island's half-term school holidays on Monday 15th February and continue throughout the year. The work of mounting the real bones, and fabricating replicas for the missing bits will take place out in the museum, where visitors will be able to see the work and speak to the staff and volunteers.
For further details please contact -
Steve Hutt, Dinosaur Isle, on (01983) 404344 stephen.hutt@iow.gov.uk
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