Treasure Tour: Museum of Natural History, NY Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Welcome to the enormous American Museum of Natural History. You know you're in the right place because you're excited to see one of the Museum's trademark installations in front of you... a Barosarus fossil. On the walls are inscribed numerous quotations, among them "The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased; and not impaired in value." Where are you in the Museum?

Answer: The Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda

The Museum entrance at 79th St. and Central Park West takes you directly into the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, home to the world's only mounted Barosarus. It's the tallest freestanding dinosaur display anywhere and is a favorite of millions of visiting children and adults alike. The Museum is careful to explain that the dino's posture (rearing up to defend its baby from an attacking Allosaurus) is purely conjectural and that the fossil bones are casts (the originals would be too heavy to display), but the effect is impressive nonetheless.

Theodore Roosevelt, the USA's 26th president, was a gifted naturalist who began collecting specimens at the age of eight. While he gave much of his collection to the Smithsonian, he also was a benefactor of the AMNH, which was co-founded by his father. Also look for his equestrian statue outside the Museum.

2. If the Museum were to have a popularity contest, the dinosaur exhibits would probably be a shoo-in for first place. Into which of the following categories are the dinosaur fossils and exhibits organized?

Answer: Saurischian Dinosaurs and Ornithiscian Dinosaurs

While many museums organize their dinosaur fossils chronologically (Jurassic, Triassic, etc.), and indeed the AMNH formerly did so, the fossils are now arranged according to evolutionary relationships... that is, similar dinos are grouped together, regardless of era.
"The Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs examines the branches of dinosaurs that possess the trait of a grasping hand, with fingers that differ in size and shape."
"The Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs examines the branches of dinosaurs that possess a backward pointing pubis bone. Additional features found within the Ornithischians include inset tooth rows forming cheeks and the uneven covering of enamel on the teeth."
(info from www.amnh.org)
So... we'll look for a T.Rex in the first hall, and a Stegosaurus in the second.

3. To get anywhere near the overwhelming Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil, you'll have to gently ease past the dozens of rapt children staring up at it... or perhaps make a sudden loud dinosaurlike noise and send them scurrying. T. Rex has been a Museum attention-getter since 1915. What was changed about him in 1995?

Answer: His stance was changed

According to Museum sources, most of the fossils you and the rugrats see when you look at T. Rex are real. For eighty years, this fearsome dino was mounted upright, balanced on its tail. New research and fossil discoveries, however, indicate that this large carnivore probably hunted with its head lowered and tail extended.

The present mount of T. Rex at the Museum gives a strong impression of menacing speed. Take a look at http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Treasures/Tyrannosaurus/tyrannos.html and see if you agree.

4. Where in the Museum would you encounter the following terms: Plesiadapis, Notharctus, Aegyptopithecus, Proconsul, Sivapithecus?

Answer: The Mural of Primate Evolution

The Mural of Primate Evolution, by artist Jay Matternes, is in the Museum's Hall of Human Biology and Evolution. Beginning with the 60 million year old Plesiadapis and encompassing 50 million years of evolution, it progresses through other little-known early primates and ends with Sivapithecus, a sort of orangutan. Still a long way to go before we get to Albert Einstein!

5. The American Museum of Natural History displays a magnificent set of Tlingit armor. Who were/are the Tlingits?

Answer: A Native American tribe of SE Alaska

While the American Museum of Natural History possesses representative items from most of the world's cultures, it is particularly proud of its collection of Native American artifacts. You can see the beautiful Native Alaskan armor, which is covered with Chinese coins the Tlingit received in trade, at http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Treasures/Tlingit_Armor/tlingit.html?50

6. Which of the following is NOT true of the Museum's beloved whale?

Answer: It is a Gray Whale

In the Hall of Ocean Life, generations of New Yorkers and tourists alike have visited this replica of a female Blue Whale. Don't worry about it falling from the ceiling... the hall was recently renovated, and everything is secure as well as beautiful and informative. Don't miss the polar bear and walrus dioramas!

7. What was Carl Akeley's contribution to the American Museum of Natural History?

Answer: He was a taxidermist and diorama designer

Nowadays we would not shoot and stuff dozens of animals in order to entertain and enlighten museumgoers, but things were different in the early part of the 20th century. The Akeley Hall of African Mammals consists of 28 dioramas showcasing everything from gorillas to rhinos. The parade of enormous African elephants down the center of the room is particularly effective.

8. Which of the following extinct animals is represented by a fossil at the Museum?

Answer: Mastodon

While you can see representations of all these animals at the Museum, the mastodon is the only one that's been extinct long enough to become fossilized. The Museum has mounted specimens of the Tasmanian wolf and the passenger pigeon, and displays a dodo skeleton.

9. When cultural anthropology was in its infancy, this woman was at the forefront as scientist, explorer, writer, and teacher. She also spent fifty years in the Department of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History. Name this "Coming of Age in Samoa" author.

Answer: Margaret Mead

According to its website, Margaret Mead's work is largely responsible for the treasures on view in the Museum's Hall of Pacific Peoples.

10. Everyone who visits the American Museum of Natural History discovers a favorite exhibit, and mine is the Hall of Gems and Minerals. Nowhere else can you see a 563-carat star sapphire, the world's largest. What mineral creates the Star of India's star effect?

Answer: Rutile

The star effect ("asterism", from the Greek for "star") is created inside the mammoth gem by the presence of the mineral rutile. The Star of India is originally from Sri Lanka, but now you can visit it in its newly refurbished home in New York City. I hope you have enjoyed this Treasure Tour and will join some of my other New York museum jaunts.

Source: Author LilahDeDah

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

There's a reason that one of the American Museum of Natural History's websites is called "OLOGY". Try this quiz for a little biology, ecology, paleontology, zoology, geology, and anthropology... New York style.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>