February 24, 2023

MoAW

presents

EUPARKERIA

Mr. Parker's Good Animal

The Ancestor of Dinosaurs,

Crocodiles, Birds, and Flying Reptiles

Class Reptilia,

Subclass Archosauria

Euparkeria capensis

Early Triassic, South Africa

THE TRIASSIC PERIOD

from 230 million years to 195 million years ago

There were no flowers or grasses at the beginning of the Triassic Period (named for a tri-layered sequence of strata first discovered in southern Germany). Surrounded by a vast ocean, the supercontinent of Pangaea almost entirely circled the globe at the equator. Identical fossil remains found as far apart as Africa and North America suggest that the fauna of this period roamed freely across vast expanses of land that are now separated by the oceans. The Triassic marked the dawning of the Mesozoic (“Middle Life”) era or the Age of Dinosaurs. Because much of Pangaea lay along the equator, climates were generally tropical, and warm, ferny swamps teemed with primitive amphibians and crocodiles. In the arid desert regions, reptiles flourished with the extinction of mammal-like reptiles, producing the highly successful archosaur group which gave rise to crocodiles, pterosaurs, and a new kind of animal gradually appearing in the Late Triassic fossil record: the Dinosauria (“Terrible Lizards”), which continued to appear in increasing varieties for the next 140 million years. The gradual breakup of Pangaea beginning at the end of the Triassic globally separated dinosaur populations along with the first true mammals, tiny burrowing descendants of the mammal-like reptiles.

SAM-PK-5867, A specimen of Euparkeria capensis. Arrow indicates anterior direction. Scale bar equals 5 centimeters. Numbers indicate character-states scored in the data matrix. Character state scores= 2-0: Skull is .22-.38 times the length of the presacral vertebrae column. 331-0: The lengths of the fourth or fifth cervical vertebrae are .63-2.37 times their height. 383-0: Gastralia are present and form an extensive basket of closely packed elements. 405-0: An interclavicle is present. 435-1: The total length of the radius is .69-.92 times that of the humerus. 489-1: The total length of the femur is 1.09-1.56 times that of the humerus. 516-2: The total length of the tibia is .70-1.27 times that of the femur. - Euparkeria - Wikipedia

• Crowding the archaic Permian protomammals out of their dominant position in the competition for food, the rapidly evolving Triassic reptiles known as thecodonts (“Socket Tooth”) were distinguished by the development of remarkable open skulls, hollow bones that were lightweight but very strong, and jaws lined with individually socketed teeth. This group of ancestral archosaurians (“Ruling Reptiles”) gave rise to the early saurischians and ornithischians of the Late Triassic (collectively known as the dinosaurs) as well as to crocodiles, birds, and the extinct flying reptiles. Exemplifying this important parent group, Euparkeria was a small creature that walked on 4 legs, but, like the modern crocodile, was capable of bipedal sprinting due to its powerful hind leg muscles. A predator whose advantage over its prey was its swiftness, Euparkeria was extremely close to the immediate ancestry of the dinosaurs. This magnificent skeleton is from the famous Karroo Formation. South African Museum.  On display exclusively at the Museum of Ancient Wonders.

William Kitchen Parker 

(23 June 1823 – 3 July 1890)

Professor Parker was a British physician, zoologist, and comparative anatomist. From a humble beginning, he became a Hunterian Professor of Anatomy and Physiology at the College of Surgeons of England. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1865 and awarded the Royal Medal in 1866. From 1871–73 he was President of the Royal Microscopical Society, and in 1885 he received the Baly Medal of the Royal College of Physicians. The honors and appointments Parker gained later in life were due mainly for his work on the vertebrate skeleton and its significance in establishing a "true theory of the vertebrate skull". His Royal Society obituary notice described him as "An unworldly seeker after truth, loved by all who knew him". He is buried in Wandsworth cemetery under a cross of red granite.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS ON DISPLAY

ALL UNDER HEAVEN

Earth, Heaven,

and the Afterlife

A Very Special Gift From

Marlene and Bruce Kanter,

Heather James Fine Art

Tim Walsh

Michael H. Healy

Tianxia (天下) or, All Under Heaven, is the ideal of a perfect and harmonious empire in the eyes of the people.

50 original antiquities spanning millennia (3,600 B.C.E. to 1920s C.E.) of ancient Asian cultures, from mysterious funerary objects and life-size protective temple guardians to delicate terracotta sculptures created for the tombs of the deceased. A giant Maitreya Buddha with obsidian eyes, a tapestry of silk and gold thread, a rare lacquered cosmetic box, earthen vessels, and bronze statues, these ancient treasures from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, celebrate everlasting remembrance, happiness, and eternal life.

This diverse collection of Asian antiquities is displayed in three sections: Earthly possessions, objects used by the living, the temple icons of Buddha and Shiva (Heaven), and funerary goods, objects found in the tombs of the elite (the Afterlife). MoAW premieres these dazzling artifacts for the first time together in one exhibition - All Under Heaven: Earth, Heaven, and the Afterlife.

PALEO: The Story of Life

4.6 billion years of fossil history 

Drawn from the world’s foremost fossil collections, the unprecedented treasury of fossil casts known as PALEO: The Story of Life brings together in one exhibition some of the most exciting finds in the history of paleontology from over a century of worldwide excavations, exhibited in geological, chronological order.

From 2.5 billion-year-old single cellular cyanobacteria responsible for the oxygenation of the atmosphere to the first multicellular life of 700 million years ago, PALEO: The Story of Life spans 4.6 billion years in scope. From the Precambrian to the Paleozoic Era, from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods of the Mesozoic Era to mammals and prehistoric humans of the Cenozoic Era (including the famous Lucy skeleton), this internationally acclaimed, comprehensive collection dramatically illustrates the awesome story of prehistoric life on Earth.

Displaying casts of rare fossils from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, this prestigious collection includes skeletons, skulls, claws, and eggs gathered from such revered museums as the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, The Royal Ontario Museum, the Carnegie Museum, and the National Museums of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, as well as many others.

THE CRAB NEBULA (M1) IN TAURUS.

Photographed with the 26-inch Crossley Reflector at Lick Observatory. Copyright Regents, University of California. Lick Observatory photograph.

STARSCAPE:

A Journey To The

Beginning of Time

Displayed in association with PALEO: The Story of Life, this spectacular collection of 33 space photographs combines breathtaking digitalized images from the historic Mariner, Viking, and Voyager probes with stunning photographs from the Apollo lunar missions, the Hubble Space Telescope, and ground-based observatories. Gathered from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the California Institute of Technology, the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, and the Hansen Planetarium, this awesome display of cosmic spectacles is a journey to the early days of the cosmos. 

photo: Steven Salisbury

LUCY:

(Australopithecus afarensis)

The Story of Human Origins

(Courtesy of the Institute of Human Origins and

the National Museum of Ethiopia,

Addis Ababa)

On view exclusively at the

Museum of Ancient Wonders

The Cathedral City Woman's Club, 1946

Cathedral City

Historical Society

presents

Then and Now

A 40th-year anniversary exhibition of the history of Cathedral City

A comprehensive photographic timeline of the history of Cathedral City greets you upon entering the lobby of the Museum of Ancient Wonders. This is an exhibition of recollections of the people and places that created Cathedral City's early history and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its burgeoning progress, from the past to the present, THEN AND NOW is a loving tribute to the City of Cathedral City on view through March 31, 2023.

Metal Sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda

JURASSIC WONDERS

11 Lifesize Metal Dinosaurs

Public Art Display

created by

Ricardo Breceda

MoAW presents JURASSIC WONDERS, a public art installation in collaboration with Cathedral City's Mayor and City Council, displaying 11 life-size Dinosaurs created by renowned artist Ricardo Breceda. Divided into 4 stunning dioramas on the corner of Buddy Rogers Drive and East Palm Canyon Drive across the street from City Hall, this magnificent exhibition continues to be on display due to popular demand. - Ricardo Breceda (ricardoabreceda.com)

TUTANKHAMUN

"Wonderful Things"

Treasures From The Pharaoh's Tomb

2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon. To share in the commemoration, MoAW's "Wonderful Things" exhibition is on a nationwide tour. Click on the link below to see a previous installation on the banks of the Sacramento River at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding CA. 

VISITOR REVIEWS

Become A Member of MoAW

THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS

The newest perk of membership: Free admission to more than 1,200 museums nationwide through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program (NARM) Plus, discounts at their museum shops and restaurants (if given to their members). Local museums include the Palm Springs Art Museum and Cabot's Pueblo Museum, several museums in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, throughout California, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, including Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. This is available to all members at the Donor Level ($125.00) or higher. Members who qualify will be receiving new membership cards with the NARM logo to be used at participating museums.

Current members who would like to upgrade their membership to take advantage of this new benefit please give us a call at (442) 268-5004.

Click below for more information and to join.

THANK YOU

MoAW's mission is to educate a diverse audience about the history of ancient civilizations and prehistoric life using fossils and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods; to enhance universal curriculum development for local and surrounding school districts, colleges, and universities, establishing museum diversity for the Coachella Valley.

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Saturday

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.



The last admission is taken one hour before closing.

Admission:

$15.00 Adults

$12.00 Students, Seniors, & Military

$ 3.00 Discount available for Coachella Valley Residents

$10.00 Group Rate for 10 or more individuals.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MoAW is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, the American Alliance of Museums, and the California Association of Museums. Contributions are tax-deductible and gratefully accepted.

MoAW IS SPONSORED WITH FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

BY THE FOLLOWING:

Alberto Acosta, Executive Director & Chief Curator

Joseph McCabe, CFO & Director of Development

DEW FOUNDATION

By contributing financial support, DEW Foundation joins hands with effective charitable organizations to meet human needs and promote the common good worldwide, encouraging and empowering our family’s personal involvement.

Art Laboe Foundation, Inc.

A beloved resident of Palm Springs, Art Laboe was an American disc jockey, songwriter, record producer, and radio station owner. He was generally credited with coining the term "Oldies but Goodies".

Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation

The mission of the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation

is to support Arts & Culture, Youth, Educational, Medical and,

Social Servies, and Community activities that enhance the quality of life.

Municipalities & Societies

Cathedral City Historical Society

City of Rancho Mirage

Members and Patrons

Heather James Fine Art, Palm Desert

Marlene and Bruce Kanter

Tim Walsh

Mike Healy

Bjorn Kielman

Zachary Weingart

Mark Walsh

Karen Speros

Nancy Dobrozdravic

Mary Madison

Carla San Miguel, CSM Traducciones

Margie St. Anthony

Tarek & Mohamed Ragab, the Egyptian Art Center

Marty Martin, CEO of Origins Institute, Inc.

Scott Robertson & Staff, New Leaf Caterers, Cathedral City

Willie Rhine & Albert Gonzales, 849 Restaurant, Palm Springs

Jack and Sandra Rivers, Canyon Printing, Cathedral City

THANK YOU