Dinosaurs in our backyard

By Carol Warwick September 2002

If you’ve ever considered what the world would be like if we shared it with dinosaurs, then wonder no more. A dinosaur could be as close as the nearest gum tree.

Fossils now on display in an exhibition at the Australian Museum, Sydney, provide conclusive evidence that modern day birds have actually evolved from dinosaurs. The four fossils of small, feathered dinosaurs were found in North Eastern China and are said to be examples of the world’s first birds.

Professor Michael Archer, the Director of the Australian Museum, hopes the exhibition, particularly the feathered dinosaur fossils, will heighten public interest. In a media statement he said: “After visiting the Chinese Dinosaurs exhibition people will fully appreciate that dinosaurs are not extinct...they’re alive and well and singing in your backyard.”

The fossils were first discovered by farmers in 1994, and demonstrate that birds have descended from a group of small, meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods. Dr Robert Jones, a paleontologist with the museum for 30 years, says the discovery of the feathered dinosaurs is significant for many scientists.

“Probably the most important part of the exhibition, I think, is the feathered dinosaurs. Up to the finding of these fossils they hadn’t actually found what could be definitely said to be a dinosaur with feathers on it,” he said.

The feathered dinosaurs are part of a larger exhibition, which also contains fossilised eggs, footprints, teeth, plants and the skeletons of 12 dinosaurs. The specimens range in size from a nothosaur fossil measuring just 20 cm, to the 26 metre long skeleton of the mamenchisaurus. They range in age from 80 to 200 million years old, and include both carnivores and the giant herbivores.

Sixty-five per cent of the skeletons on display are composed of fossilised bones. However, according to Dr Jones: “Very, very few dinosaur fossils will be 100 per cent, so you’ve always got bits missing.” The remaining 35 per cent has been made up of replicas moulded on existing pieces.

The specimens have been borrowed from the Beijing Natural History Museum, the Zigong Dinosaur Museum and the Hong Kong Southern Natural Museum. Seven technicians from China spent a month arranging the display, which contains some of the best-preserved dinosaur artefacts in the world.

Professor Archer said the discovery of dinosaur bones is not a new phenomenon in China. “As early as 265 AD the people of China were recording the discovery of ‘dragon bones’,” he said. In ancient Chinese tradition buried dinosaur bones were thought to be those of dragons.

The exhibition has been drawing significant crowds, particularly during the recent school holidays. The Deputy Director of the Museum, Patrick Filmer-Sankey, said he was pleased with the popularity of the exhibition. “We know that everyone loves dinosaurs, but I have to admit we were pleased at the overwhelming response to see these 150 million year old beasts,” he said. The exhibition was officially opened by the Premier, Bob Carr, on 5 July. Within the first 16 days over 50,000 people attended.

The Chinese dinosaurs and artefacts will remain at the Australian Museum in Sydney until February 2003.