Gray, Tennessee's Natural History Museum: A Must-See Attraction

On Aug. 31, 2007, a new, $10 million natural history museum opened at the Gray Fossil Site in Gray, Tennessee. The museum, the East Tennessee State University and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitor Center, was created because of a fossil find on the grounds of the museum and a subsequent archaeological dig that has been in process since 2000. Since the finding of the fossils in 2000, and hearing about all the discoveries on the property, it was amazing to see all of the bones put together. A recent visit to the museum and fossil site was a real treat for my whole family. The Natural History Museum and Gray Fossil Site are one of a few places that actually have a live archaeological dig in progress. The closest one to Tennessee is in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

The findings of the fossils began back in the year 2000. A road construction crew was widening Route 75 in Gray, Tennessee when one of the crew members came across some bones in the ground. The crew immediately notified the state officials and the Governor stopped the construction and sent some paleontologists to look at the bones to determine what was found. Upon doing some research the scientists discovered that the fossils were between 4.5 and 7 million years old. Through more research, the scientists discovered that there was a sinkhole on the site and many of the animals went into the sinkhole. Because the animals inside the sinkhole were protected from the natural elements, when they died their bones did not decompose as they normally would on the surface. Through the years the sinkhole filled up preserving most of the bones. When the road construction crew started digging, the bones were uncovered. The fossil site is approximately 5 acres.

Over the last several years, the archaeological dig has uncovered more than 60 different plants and animals. The scientists have recovered an entire skeleton of a rhinoceros. This process alone took nine weeks. Even though they have been digging for seven years, the scientists feel they have only recovered less than 1 percent of the remains. When the site was discovered, it was turned over to a local university, East Tennessee State University, who created an entire paleontology program and laboratory to coordinate the dig and provide the manpower for this massive undertaking.

Upon entering the museum, you first see a film about the discovery of the fossils. After viewing the film, you can enter the rooms where the permanent exhibits are located. One exhibit is a Fossil Assembly Station where visitors can try their hand at putting bone pieces together by the touch of a computer. You can touch the computer screen and drag bone pieces to form a skeleton. There are exhibits of the skeletons with computer screens set up to tell you about each animal. You can see exhibits of tusks, jaws, turtle shells, animal teeth and more. At each exhibit there are also descriptions of the pieces of bones you are looking at to tell you who they belonged to. There is an interactive room where you actually dig in the type of dirt the scientists are working in and try your hand at digging for fossils. There is an observation area where you can watch the archaeological team at work. You can also watch in the prep lab as they clean the fossil pieces they uncovered. The murals you see in the museum are painted to represent the actual animals and plants uncovered at the Gray Fossil Site. The museum exhibits will change to coordinate with the current fossil finds. The museum offers self-guided and guided tours. You will want to take the guided tour to get a better understanding of the entire workings of the museum and dig. My family and I took the guided tour and it was well worth it. We came away with a better understanding of the site.

The Natural History Museum and Gray Fossil Site are a part of history unfolding for all the public to see. It is amazing to know what roamed the earth near where you live. If you live near or plan a visit to northeast Tennessee, the museum and fossil site should be put on your must see stops. The museum is open 7 days a week. The museum has something for everyone of all ages to enjoy. You can visit the museum's website at www.grayfossilmuseum.com to get more information and pricing.

Source:

www.grayfossilmuseum.com