The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

Located just 6 km outside of Drumheller, and about an hour from Calgary, the Tyrrell Museum is one of the premier palaeontology museums in the world (if not the premier). This large complex is dedicated to the study of the prehistoric plants and animals of Alberta. The various displays describe the ages of the earth, the types of life forms that existed, and the methods of research and disnosaur reconstruction. Exhibits range from fossils and models, to computers and hands-on exhibits. A new feature is the Devonian Reef exhibit, a model reef which with mirrors and movement illustrates the reef life of the Devonian era.

The Tyrrell Museum is not just for display, however - palaeontology research is ongoing. At the Tyrrell Museum Field Station near Brooks (a two hour drive SE of Drumheller), visitors can visit an excavation site and take a bus tour featuring this site. If fossils are your thing, this site is not to be missed as there are areas of the park where a person can't step without stepping on fossils. Guided tours through fossil beds are available. Special permits are required to collect fossils, so visitors are required to look but not take.

Check out the OFFICIAL Royal Tyrrell Museum Home Page.

For more information about the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, phone (403) 823-7707 (or, from Calgary, 294-1992).