LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Jeffrey Martz is the curator of paleontology at The Museum at Texas Tech.
“We actually have one of the most important collections in the world of fossils from the beginning of the age of dinosaurs,” Martz said.
Finding that collection inside the museum may take you some time, but it’s so extensive, it’s worth the walk. Martz says the collection features all sorts of fossils that have a connection to our area.
“This is one of the most famous animals that we have in our collection, it’s an animal called Postosuchus, which was actually named for the town of Post,” Martz said.
Inside this collection, you’ll see fossils dating back to the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era. This is often refereed to as the “age of reptiles”, and the museum’s newest exhibit looks to bring some of those fossils upstairs to showcase the period in a big way.
“This exhibit focuses on a group of animals called the Phytosaurs,” Martz said, “which are some of the first really large aquatic predators that we see in the fossil record.”
One look at these “prehistoric predators” and you may think they’re like crocodiles. While they certainly behaved like crocodiles, they had distinct differences, including where their nostrils were located.
Inside the exhibit, you’ll also see just how big these creatures were in comparison to crocodiles, along with fossils that showcase the differences between a male and female Phytosaur.
This exhibit will run through the spring, and Martz says it’s a pleasure to be able to bring these fossils, many that were found in Crosbyton and Post, and give residents a great history lesson in the process.
“We have such an amazing fossil record here,” Martz said, “and I really would like people to know what kind of resources are available in their area and what we can learn about the history of life just by studying the local fossil record.”
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