Category: Fossils,

This Art Rocks and Remembers/ My Jurassic Valley, Part 3

Rock specimens from around the globe on display at the Beneski Museum show how rocks from millions of years ago are used in contemporary art and home design.

Agate, which is a type of quartz, forms over millions of years inside cavities in volcanic or ancient lava rocks. Because of their natural beauty agate slices and patterns are frequently used in wall murals, canvas art prints, jewelry and even kitchen counter tops.

Andalusite Hornfels is a metamorphic rock which includes crystal within it. It is around 400 million years old. These crystals can resemble seeds, pods, or stems, giving the rock a deceptive organic look. Because of its toughness and attractive appearance, it is frequently used in architecture for interior flooring and curbing, and also in modern art installations.


Sutured Ammonites were prehistoric marine animals that went extinct approximately 65 million years ago.  This fossil exhibits natural “fractal-like” patterns, which are the wavy lines (sutures) formed where the internal chamber walls (septa) met the outer shell. These intricate, often leaf-like or feathered designs, are highly valued in both fine art and personal crafts. 



This fossil plate contains several crinoids, prehistoric marine animals commonly known as “sea lilies” from about 345-350 million years ago. While they strongly resemble plants, crinoids are actually related to starfish and sea urchins. These limestone or shale slabs are popular as interior decor, in specialized jewelry, and as inspiration for acrylic painting.

This item is an Ammonite, which is a fossilized shell of an extinct marine mollusk that lived millions of years ago.  The fossils are often used in jewelry, textile or surface designs and home decor.

My Jurassic Valley, Part 1

The Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College, Massachusetts houses the world’s most extensive collection of fossil dinosaur tracks, primarily from the Connecticut River Valley, where I grew up. 
 These tracks from the Jurassic period are around 190 million years old. In addition to dinosaur tracks, it showcases actual dinosaur body fossils, casts from a variety of historical periods, and an exhibit of stones from all over the world.

Although this Tyrannosaurus rex (T.Rex) cast is not from the Jurassic Period, it inspires visitors to touch, measure and experience the cast close up, and immerse themselves in the world of dinosaurs.

Edward Hitchcock began his study of dinosaurs when the existence of dinosaurs- even the word, “dinosaur” -was unknown. A deeply religious man, he did not believe in evolution at first, but he did believe in the scientific method. By the end of his life, he was a supporter of evolution. The Hitchcock Ichnology Collection contains more than 1,100 slabs of fossil tracks and traces from the Connecticut River Valley. They provided the first evidence of dinosaurs in North America.

Many footprints are displayed along the wall for easy viewing, as if in an art gallery. The collection of tracks is known as “the stone book”.

These tracks were made by small to medium-sized dinosaurs. Hitchcock originally thought they were bird tracks.

A track close up.

Not only are fossils on the walls, but here you can see actual dinosaur prints placed at waist level on the museum’s fossilized dinosaur trackway. The large flat sandstone slabs display various footprints and impressions left by dinosaurs that once roamed the Connecticut River Valley during the Triassic and Jurassic eras.

Truly a hands-on exhibit,

and a chance to walk with the dinosaurs.

Jurassic Morning is a diorama created by artist Will Sillin. This artwork depicts the Connecticut River Valley as it appeared 190 million years ago during the Jurassic period.

The Connecticut River at Northfield, MA today.