Saurian Expedition of 1905 facts for kids
The Saurian Expedition of 1905 was an exciting trip to find fossils in Nevada, a state in the United States. During this adventure, scientists found some of the best ichthyosaur fossils ever seen!
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What Was the Saurian Expedition?
The Saurian Expedition was a special journey made in 1905. Its main goal was to discover and collect ancient animal remains. This type of research is called paleontology, which is the study of life from past geological periods. The team found many amazing fossils, especially those of ichthyosaurs. Ichthyosaurs were large marine reptiles that lived millions of years ago. They looked a bit like dolphins or fish, but they were reptiles!
Who Led the Expedition?
The expedition was led by a person named Eustace L. Furlong. He was an assistant at the Geology Department at Berkeley. He worked under the guidance of his professor, John C. Merriam, from the University of California.
A very important person who helped make this expedition possible was Annie Montague Alexander. She provided the money to pay for the trip. Four years before the expedition, when she was a student in Berkeley, she became very interested in Professor Merriam's work. Annie Alexander was not just a funder; she also actively participated in the expedition. She helped collect fossils alongside Edna Wemple, who was also a student of Professor Merriam.
Where Did They Explore?
The expedition team explored different areas in Nevada. They started by looking at Triassic limestones in the West Humboldt Range. This area is northeast of Reno. The Triassic period was a very long time ago, from about 252 to 201 million years ago. Limestone is a type of rock that often contains fossils.
After exploring the West Humboldt Range, the team moved further south. They continued their search into central Nevada, reaching the Shoshone Mountains. This journey allowed them to cover a wide area and search for many different fossil sites.
What Did They Discover?
The Saurian Expedition was very successful. The team recovered many excellent ichthyosaur specimens. These are some of the finest ichthyosaur fossils ever found. After the expedition, some of these amazing fossils were brought back to Berkeley. They became part of the collection at the University of California Museum of Paleontology. Annie Montague Alexander also helped to create and support this museum, making sure these important discoveries would be preserved and studied for years to come.
