New Mexico Museum of Natural History to Unveil "Ancient Life" Exhibit
November 14—The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has announced the closure of its Origins Hall to make way for an exciting new exhibit titled "Ancient Life," set to open in January. This innovative hall will showcase approximately 300 fossils from the museum’s extensive Research Collections, highlighting specimens discovered throughout New Mexico over the past 30 years.
Spencer G. Lucas, the museum’s curator of paleontology, emphasized the extensive preparation for this exhibit. "We began working on this exhibit about a year and a half ago," Lucas stated, noting the usual timeline for such projects spans two to three years. The exhibit aims to communicate New Mexico’s rich natural history, demonstrated by the selection and curation process focused on clarity and educational value.
The "Ancient Life" exhibit will span 3,000 square feet and transports visitors through various historical environments, utilizing a color-coded layout to represent different habitats—such as land, river, sea, and jungle—where these fossils were found. Among the notable specimens will be the massive "Godzilla Shark," a Dracopristis fossil measuring 7 to 8 feet, discovered in the Manzano Mountains, as well as footprint fossils emanating from diverse locations like Las Cruces and Española.
Funding for the exhibit predominantly came from taxpayer dollars as a result of significant state legislative surpluses, a departure from the museum’s usual practice of relying on grants and public donations.
Lucas articulated the exhibit’s educational mission, stating, “This is a big step… you’re talking about 250 million years of New Mexico history.” "Ancient Life" promises to be a significant addition, enriching public understanding of the state’s paleontological heritage.
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