Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. It is a world-renowned institution dedicated to the study and exhibition of ancient life, located in the heart of the Canadian Badlands near Drumheller, Alberta. Opened in 1985 and named in honour of pioneering geologist Joseph Burr Tyrrell, the museum sits amidst the richly fossiliferous strata of the Late Cretaceous Horseshoe Canyon Formation. It operates as a part of the Alberta government's Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women and is a premier destination for both public education and advanced palaeontological research.

History

The museum's origins are tied to the 1884 discovery of the first carnivorous dinosaur skull in Canada by Joseph Burr Tyrrell of the Geological Survey of Canada in the Red Deer River valley. This significant find, later identified as Albertosaurus, sparked scientific interest in the region, leading to the Great Canadian Dinosaur Rush of the early 20th century where collectors like Barnum Brown and Charles Hazelius Sternberg competed for specimens. For decades, major finds were sent to institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The push for a local museum culminated with its establishment by the Government of Alberta in 1985, coinciding with Alberta's 75th anniversary. It was granted its "Royal" prefix in 1990 by Queen Elizabeth II.

Exhibits and collections

The museum's galleries showcase one of the world's largest displays of dinosaur fossils, anchored by the spectacular Dinosaur Hall featuring mounted skeletons such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and the immense Albertosaurus. Other major exhibits include the Devonian Burgess Shale display of Cambrian marine life, the Cretaceous Garden, and the Mesozoic Mammals gallery. The Preparation Lab allows visitors to watch technicians working on real fossils. The research collection, separate from public displays, houses over 160,000 catalogued specimens, including holotypes of significant species like the horned dinosaur Regaliceratops and the ankylosaur Borealopelta, noted for its exceptional preservation.

Research and discoveries

Scientists at the museum conduct extensive field work primarily in the Dinosaur Provincial Park UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Scollard Formation. The institution's palaeontologists have been responsible for naming numerous new genera, including the tyrannosaur Thanatotheristes and the ceratopsian Wendiceratops'. A landmark discovery was the 2011 unearthing of the "Suncor nodosaur" (Borealopelta markmitchelli''), an ankylosaur preserved with skin and armor in three dimensions. Research extends beyond dinosaurs to include studies of ancient pollen, fish, turtles, and microfossils, contributing to broader understanding of Mesozoic ecosystems and climate change.

Facilities and operations

The main building, designed by Architects Allward+ Gouinlock, is built into the hillside of the Midland Provincial Park. Key operational facilities include state-of-the-art preparation and molding/casting laboratories, extensive collections storage areas, and a fully equipped field research station at Dinosaur Provincial Park. The museum manages and protects a vast tract of fossil-bearing public land under the Historical Resources Act of Alberta. Its operations are supported by the non-profit Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society, which helps fund special projects and acquisitions.

Public programs and education

The museum offers a wide array of educational experiences, including school programs aligned with the Alberta Program of Studies, public lectures by leading scientists, and guided hikes into the surrounding badlands. Popular hands-on programs include the Dinosaur Dig Experience, where participants join simulated excavations, and the Fossil Casting workshop. It hosts major annual events like the Fossil Festival and participates in national science promotion initiatives. The museum's outreach extends through traveling exhibits, online educational resources, and collaborative projects with institutions like the University of Calgary and the Telus World of Science.

Category:Museums in Alberta Category:Palaeontology museums in Canada Category:Drumheller Category:1985 establishments in Alberta