The Prehistoric Museum, USU Eastern: April 2013

Thursday, April 18, 2013

USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum to Raise Admission Fees

PRESS RELEASE

April 17, 2013

Writer: Christine K. Trease, 435-613-5757; christine.trease@usu.edu

USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum to Raise Admission Fees

PRICE, UTAH — Cuts to the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum’s Operating Budget in 2010 and 2011 are finally being felt. Rising costs for supplies and services are making it necessary to increase the admission fees. “We tried to hold off increasing the fees as long as possible,” Marketing Director Christine Trease said. “Unfortunately, it is the only way we can continue to provide the community with new and exciting exhibits and events.” Individual admission rates will increase one dollar, while family admission rate will increase by two dollars. The new prices take effect May 25.

Even with these increases, the Prehistoric Museum’s admission rates remain below the national average in the $10 to $20 range. An even better deal is the Prehistoric Museum’s family membership, which is $40.00 per year. For further information about museum memberships, contact Claire Bennett at (435) 613-5755 or claire.bennett@usu.edu.

The Prehistoric Museum is an accredited institution and a state and federal repository dedicated to protection of our past and education of the public about the past.

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Prehistoric Museum

Utah State University – Eastern

155 East Main, Price, Utah 84501 USA

usueastern.edu/museum

Armored Monster Invades USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum

April 12, 2013

Contact: Dr. Kenneth Carpenter, 435-613-5752; ken.carpenter@usu.edu

Writer: Christine K. Trease, 435-613-5757; Christine.trease@usu.edu

Armored Monster Invades USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum

PRICE, UTAH — Scientists recently unveiled the skeleton of one of the largest known armored dinosaurs in its new home at Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum.

The never-before-seen skeleton is of one of the largest armored dinosaurs ever found. Bristling with spikes, Peloroplites cedrimontanus was well defended against predators looking for a quick lunch. Its name means “armored monster from the Cedar Mountain,” in reference to the formation from which the bones were found.

Peloroplites adds to a growing number of ankylosaur dinosaurs from Utah.

“There are more species of ankylosaurs in Utah than in any other state,” said Kenneth Carpenter, USU Eastern Museum director and dinosaur paleontologist. “Only Mongolia and China have us beat.”

The skeleton was pieced together from bones excavated by staff and volunteers from the USU Prehistoric Museum. Dinosaurs thrived in central Utah during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 110 million years ago.

This four-legged, slow moving titan was discovered in the Cedar Mountain Formation south of Price, at the north end of the San Rafael Swell. It weighed around five tons, or four Mini Coopers combined. The skeletal remains that were found at the site include bones of most parts of the body, except for the hind foot.

Peloroplites had small teeth, which show it was a plant eater. Its body was encased in armor bones that formed in the skin much like on the back of alligators. The armor includes long spines along the sides of the body for defense. This provided protection against the T rex-sized carnivorous dinosaurs of the time called Acrocanthosaurus. This monster is 23 feet long, 6 1/2 feet tall and 6 3/4 feet wide at the hips.

Paleontologists are currently studying several other dinosaur skeletons that were found at the same site, including one with a long neck and long arms and bones of a flying reptile.

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Prehistoric Museum

Utah State University – Eastern

155 East Main, Price, Utah 84501 USA

usueastern.edu/museum