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Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute

Celebrating Dinosaur Island: Jehol-Wealden International Conference

Published: 11 September 2013Origin: Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Confucius Institute

The Isle of Wight (Dinosaur Island) and China are key areas for Cretaceous fossils, especially dinosaurs. On September 20th & 21st 2013 we will celebrate this connection at a two day conference hosted by the University of Southampton at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.

This unique international conference will bring together vertebrate palaeontologists from the UK and China to discuss their research at the National Oceanography Centre. Rocks on the Isle of Wight (the Wealden) and in northern China (the Jehol) contain many of the best fossils in the world, of dinosaurs and other animals that are earliest Cretaceous in age (110 million years old).

On Day One, the 20th September, speakers will present the results of their recent research at the National Oceanography Centre, including keynotes from Chinese palaeontologists. On Day Two, the 21st September, the conference move to the Isle of Wight. We will visit a number of famous, historical but still hugely productive dinosaur localities, meet local collectors and see the Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown. The conference will be rounded off with a dinner on the Saturday night.

The famous Iguanodon sacrum examined by Richard Owen and figured in 1849 was originally found at Brook on the Isle of Wight in 1825. This specimen is the iconic 'first dinosaur'. To commemorate the importance of this discovery and its important Island connection, we are commissioning a plaque to unveil on the second day of the Conference. It is hoped that this could be permanently housed at Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown. We have been pledged some funding for this project from the Destination Management Organisation of the Isle of Wight, the new tourist group which will be heavily involved with all matters connected with dinosaurs in the coming year. Some major discoveries and films will put the spotlight directly on the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Visitor Attractions Association will be working with Southampton to promote the conference and involve local businesses.

This two-day conference is hosted by the University of southampton Confucius Institute and Ocean and Earth Science with support from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, the Isle of Wight Visitor Attraction Association and Dinosaur Isle Museum, Sandown. You will visit key dinosaur sites on the Isle of Wight and network with tourism and business leaders and build connections for future palaentological research. 

Last Booking Date for this Event - 19th September 2013

Location:
National Oceanography Centre - Southampton

Venue Details:

University of Southampton
Ocean and Science
National Oceanography Centre
European Way
Southampton
SO14 3ZH

Admission:

MRes Vertebrate Palaeontology (1 yrs)

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