An iguanadon. Picture by Arthur Weasley.
WORK to piece together the prehistoric bones of an iguanadon, found off the Island’s coast, is to start early next year, creating one of the world’s finest examples of the creature.
Staff at the Isle of Wight Council-run Dinosaur Isle will carry out the detailed cleaning and piecing together of the fossilised bones, in front of visitors at the museum. Visitors will be able to watch the specialist work being carried out and speak to the experts during the project.
The plant-eating dinosaur, which roamed the earth 130 million years ago, is expected to be a big attraction at the museum in next year. Dinosaur enthusiast Nick Chase discovered the dinosaur bones, about a decade ago, in cliffs along the south-west coast of the Island. After each tide, Nick visited the site to retrieve more and more of the impressive fossilised structure.
His find is particularly special because many of the bones remain locked together, this is very rare as most fossilised bones separate from one another over time.
Earlier this year, Nick donated his find to Dinosaur Isle so it could be enjoyed by the public and used to educate people about the creatures.
Cllr George Brown, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for tourism, said: "We are delighted Mr Chase has chosen to share his find with Dinosaur Isle. By constructing the iguanadon in the centre of the museum, rather than behind closed doors, we will be able to involve schoolchildren and visitors in this unique and exciting project."
Work is expected to start, on what could be a two-year project, in March. More details will be announced nearer the time.
Reporter: suep@iwcpmail.co.uk