Palaeontological Treasures from Russia Exhibition in Seoul

From December 14th to February 10th of this year, the Russian Natural History Museum held its "Paleontological Treasures from Russia Exhibition" in Seoul. I was lucky enough to attend this amazing exhibition of many rare and valuable fossils from Russia - including Tarbosaurus, Permian therapsids, and Dima, the exceptionally well-preserved baby mammoth.

This was the largest overseas exhibition of Russian natural history in 70 years, with a combined material weight of over 10,000 tons. Unfortunately, photography was not permitted in the exhibit, but I managed to get a few shots off before seven Korean "attendants" swarmed me! The highlights represented in this post are only a fraction of the entire show. (The last time I was asked to stop taking pictures was in le Musee National d'Histoire Naturelle en Paris! Zut Alors!)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Tarbosaurus bataar -

The Asian relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, Tarbosaurus lived 70-65 million years ago in Mongolia and China. It is so similar to it's North American cousin that some scientists believe it is the same genus! This cast was beautiful and a highlight (as I had never seen a Tarbosaurus before), but was mounted in an (incorrect) semi-erect pose with its tail dragging on the ground. It was an amazing introduction to the Russian Exhibition.

Tarbosaurus bataar in life- by Peter Bond

Intro to Palaeontology -

Me in the Jurassic - Blue-screen technology!

After the basic 'Origin of Life on Earth' exhibit, the Russian Exhibition showcased many great fossils of Russian plants, invertebrates, fish, and amphibians.

PERMIAN THERAPSIDS

Scutosaurus - A plant-eating therapsid (mammal-like reptile closely related to us) with armour on it's head and back. Scutosaurus lived 250-248 million years ago in Russia, before dinosaurs evolved.

Scutosaurus in life - by Peter Bond

Gorgonopsid - A carnivorous theraspid that lived contemporaneously with Scutosaurus in Russia, Gorgonopsids had well-developed 12-inch long incisors. It is not sure if they were covered with scales, skin or fur.

Gorgonopsid in life - by Peter Bond

Estemmenosuchus - An omnivorous Therapsid who lived in the Permian in Russia as well, Estemmenosuchus had a surprisingly unusual face with multiple horns projecting outwards.

Estemmenosuchus in life - by Peter Bond

Woolly Mammoths -

Woolly Mammoth in life - by Peter Bond

Dima, the Baby Mammoth -

The most notable artifact in the Russian Exhibition was the exceptionally well-preserved body of a baby mammoth, named Dima. From what I could tell, this was not a cast, but the actual specimen with its trunk and skin intact. There was even a small amount of actual hair around the back feet. Besides being slightly squished, the mammoth's last meal of chewed grass was still preserved, 40,000 years later!

a family of Mammoths

a family of Mammoths - cute style!

As well as the mentioned highlights, the exhibit also contained another juvenile Tarbosaurus, an ornithomimid, an Asian duck-bill, and a Deinonychus climbing a tree!

There was also a hilarious children's play area...

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA -

Tyrannosaurus rex Play Head!

It's amazing how happy this child is in the JAWS OF DEATH!