Science and Nature Lecture with Matt Lamanna

Join us as we explore natural history phenomena at Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. Lectures are structured for adult audiences, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required.

Over the past 25 years, paleontological field explorations in Patagonia, Argentina have yielded fossil finds representing a host of new and unusual dinosaurs. Among the most extraordinary of these are Megaraptoridae, an enigmatic group of large-bodied, Cretaceous-aged predatory dinosaurs characterized by low and elongate skulls, extensively air-filled bones, and, most strikingly, powerfully built forelimbs tipped with enormous claws on the innermost two fingers. In this lecture, Dr. Lamanna will present several of he and his Argentine collaborators’ recent megaraptorid discoveries and their implications for scientific understanding of the anatomy, evolutionary relationships, and lifestyles of these mysterious Cretaceous carnivores. Among these finds are two new, exceptionally preserved megaraptorid partial skeletons that, once fully analyzed, promise to significantly enhance our knowledge of these distinctive dinosaurs.

Program participants and visitors are expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place at the time of their visit.