Fossil Discovery Exhibit
Marine Environment
During the Early Cretaceous (130 million years ago), Big Bend National Park was underwater. The warm, shallow sea that covered Big Bend and most of Texas is called the Western Interior Seaway.
Coastal Floodplain Environment
During the Late Cretaceous (83-72 million years ago), Big Bend National Park was on the shoreline of the Western Interior Seaway.
Gallery of Giants
The Gallery of Giants is filled with exactly that—the giant creatures that roamed Big Bend National Park during the Cretaceous (83-65 million years ago).
Inland Floodplain Environment
72 million years ago the Rocky Mountain uplift had elevated the Big Bend Region hundreds of feet above sea level. Around this same time the climate started to cool and sea level continued to drop as ice formed at the poles.
Volcanic Highlands Environment
The dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago. This mass extinction made way for a grand diversification of mammals. The Rocky Mountains continued their uplift to the west and sea level dropped even further as the continent rose.
Thank You!
This exhibit was made possible by the donations of generous supporters of the Big Bend Conservancy. Their legacy will continue to provide visitors with a world class exhibit experience for years to come.