DATE: June 01, 2009

CONTACT: Claiborne Linvill, 864-656-6205
linvill@clemson.edu

WRITER: Claiborne Linvill, 864-656-6205
linvill@clemson.edu

Clemson geology museum displaying rare 375 million-year-old fossil

CLEMSON — Tiktaalik, a rare fossil specimen that illustrates the evolution of fish to land animals, will be on display at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum at Clemson University through July 3.

The Bob Campbell Geology Museum is the only museum outside of Chicago and Philadelphia to have this unique specimen on display.

Tiktaalik is an important paleontological discovery because the fossil supports an evolutionary theory that all living tetrapods (four-legged animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) evolved from fish ancestors. Tiktaalik skeletons exhibit primitive features seen in 380 million-year-old fish ancestors (like scales and fins for swimming), but its limb bones and joints, neck and large ribs are advanced features similar to those seen in the earliest-known amphibians from 365 million years ago. 

The cast of Titaalik is on loan from the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia; however the museum hopes one day to obtain a specimen for permanent display.

Visitors can see Tiktaalik and other fossils at the museum 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children and admission is free the third weekend in June.

The Bob Campbell Geology Museum at Clemson University strives to enrich people's lives by stimulating their curiosity and fostering a greater awareness and understanding of the complex, dynamic nature of geology. The museum illustrates geologic principles with southeastern United States and global examples and demonstrates interrelationships between geology, botany and the human experience.

The museum is located in the South Carolina Botanical Garden, near the intersection of U.S. 76 and Perimeter Road. It is partially supported by the state of South Carolina via Clemson University, but relies on private funding, memberships and proceeds from educational events to continue operations. Contact the Bob Campbell Geology Museum for more information at 864-656-4600 or BCGM@clemson.edu, or visit www.clemson.edu/GeoMuseum.