Museum of Paleontology Egidio Feruglio
Encyclopedia
The Museum of Paleontology Egidio Feruglio (MEF, in Spanish
: Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio) is a science research and exhibition center in Trelew
city, Patagonia
(Argentina
). Its permanent and travelling exhibitions focus on the fossils remains from fauna and flora of Patagonia, as well as the geological changes that affected the region throughout prehistory. The museum is named for Egidio Feruglio
.
MEF is also one of Argentina's main scientific institutions, with a robust research program in areas such as Vertebrate and Invertebrate Paleontology
, Paleobotany
, and Ichnology
. It also has a group focusing on plants in semi-desert environments.
hall depicting the giant dinosaurs of Patagonia is perhaps the most popular attraction in the museum. The journey goes on at the mini-theatre with a film showing the evolution of the Universe back to the Big Bang itself.
The exhibition also offers a view into MEF's largest, state-of-the-art Preparation Laboratory, where fossils are carefully cleaned and separated from its surrounding rock. Visitors can here witness the progress of actual work done on the most recent fossils findings.
Also, shown daily at the "Germán Sopeña" Auditórium is The Mystery of the Jurassic
, a BBC
production featuring MEF scientists.
The traveling exhibition featuring the "Dinosaurs of Patagonia" has visited many cities in Argentina and abroad. A recent European tour included Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. Individual replicates have been provided to museums in different countries.
, and about 17 miles from Trelew. The park is located on the slanted lands that separate the Chubut River
valley from the higher Pataognian steppe. The trail depicts typical fossils (both real and replicates) dating up to 40 million years ago.
The Museum's research area includes a Collection with more than 17,000 fossils (as of 2009), preparation laboratory and campaign equipment. It also has a workshop for fossil replicate production, used both in research and exhibitions.
MEF scientists also visit schools or advise teachers and students on related educational projects.
The museum's website and Facebook
network offer tourist information, non-technical articles, educational resources, etc. English versions are in progress.
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio) is a science research and exhibition center in Trelew
Trelew
-References:La Pasión según Trelew, Espejo de la Argentina, 1997, Editorial Planeta Argentina S.A.I.C.; Third Edition: April 2000, Buenos Aires, ISBN 950-742-859-3-External links:* * * *...
city, Patagonia
Patagonia
Patagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
(Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
). Its permanent and travelling exhibitions focus on the fossils remains from fauna and flora of Patagonia, as well as the geological changes that affected the region throughout prehistory. The museum is named for Egidio Feruglio
Egidio Feruglio
Egidio Feruglio was an Italian-born geologist who spent most of his career in Argentina.-Early life:The seventh of twelve sons, Feruglio finished grammar school in 1914, and then enrolled at the University of Florence. In Florence, he studied medicine and natural sciences, graduating in 1920...
.
MEF is also one of Argentina's main scientific institutions, with a robust research program in areas such as Vertebrate and Invertebrate Paleontology
Paleontology
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...
, Paleobotany
Paleobotany
Paleobotany, also spelled as palaeobotany , is the branch of paleontology or paleobiology dealing with the recovery and identification of plant remains from geological contexts, and their use for the biological reconstruction of past environments , and both the evolutionary history of plants, with a...
, and Ichnology
Ichnology
Ichnology is the branch of geology that deals with traces of organismal behavior, such as burrows and footprints. It is generally considered as a branch of paleontology; however, only one division of ichnology, paleoichnology, deals with trace fossils, while neoichnology is the study of modern traces...
. It also has a group focusing on plants in semi-desert environments.
MEF exhibitions
MEF's permanent exhibition is a journey into the natural past of Patagonia. It begins about 10,000 years ago, with the first human settlements in the area. In each room, specimens from both terrestrial and marine life forms are shown for each geological period, up to the early Paleozoic. The MesozoicMesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
hall depicting the giant dinosaurs of Patagonia is perhaps the most popular attraction in the museum. The journey goes on at the mini-theatre with a film showing the evolution of the Universe back to the Big Bang itself.
The exhibition also offers a view into MEF's largest, state-of-the-art Preparation Laboratory, where fossils are carefully cleaned and separated from its surrounding rock. Visitors can here witness the progress of actual work done on the most recent fossils findings.
Also, shown daily at the "Germán Sopeña" Auditórium is The Mystery of the Jurassic
Jurassic
The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Mya to Mya, that is, from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic era, also known as the age of reptiles. The start of the period is marked by...
, a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
production featuring MEF scientists.
The traveling exhibition featuring the "Dinosaurs of Patagonia" has visited many cities in Argentina and abroad. A recent European tour included Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. Individual replicates have been provided to museums in different countries.
Bryn Gwyn Geopark
MEF also administers the Bryn Gwyn Geopark, a large natural geological reserve located 5 miles South of GaimanGaiman
-People:People with the surname Gaiman:* David Gaiman, U.K. businessman; G & G Foods, Church of Scientology* Michael Gaiman, record Producer and manager of Jefferson Starship since 1992.* Neil Gaiman, author...
, and about 17 miles from Trelew. The park is located on the slanted lands that separate the Chubut River
Chubut River
The Chubut River is located in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina. Its name comes from the Tehuelche word chupat, which means "transparent". The Argentine Chubut Province, through which the river flows, is named after it...
valley from the higher Pataognian steppe. The trail depicts typical fossils (both real and replicates) dating up to 40 million years ago.
Research
MEF is an "Associated Research Unit" to Argentina's National Research Council (CONICET), a qualification attained by very few local NGOs. Almost all of MEF researchers and postdoctoral fellows are career scientists working under CONICET.The Museum's research area includes a Collection with more than 17,000 fossils (as of 2009), preparation laboratory and campaign equipment. It also has a workshop for fossil replicate production, used both in research and exhibitions.
Outreach and educational programs
The Museum's outreach department includes activities for families, schools and the global community. Some recent examples include:- Open house: free admission and special activities during one weekend of June.
- Paleodesafío: a knowledge-based competition on Paleontology, Geology and Astronomy for secondary schools in the Chubut province.
- Explorers in Pyjamas: children spend the night in the Museum, playing, learning, and, finally, sleeping with the dinosaurs in the exhibition.
- Café Scientifique: a cup of coffee and an informal conversation with a scientist.
MEF scientists also visit schools or advise teachers and students on related educational projects.
The museum's website and Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
network offer tourist information, non-technical articles, educational resources, etc. English versions are in progress.