The Plesiosaur Project - from discovery to display

an amazing discovery | the outback today | Coober Pedy - back to the Cretaceous |
The Addyman Plesiosaur - a national treasure | The Plesiosaur Puzzle |
Plesiosaur Birthing Ground | Skin Deep - making the plesiosaur model

Skin Deep - making the plesiosaur model

The plesiosaur model on display was based on the Addyman skeleton and represents the fusion of scientific knowledge with artistic interpretation. It began with understanding the fossils, and was blended with studies of the bones, bodies and behaviour of modern marine animals.

This model brings to life a graceful swimmer, with sleek body and hydrofoil-flippers, a reptile with a small spiky head and turtle-neck. Its leathery wrinkled skin is encrusted with scales, biting parasites and barnacles. Savage scars, inflicted by the massive jaws and conical teeth of a mystery predator, mask the fossil evidence of healed, fractured ribs.

Museum Taxidermist, Mr Jo Bain worked in collaboration with Museum palaeontologist Mr Ben Kear to establish the exact size and proportion of the Addyman plesiosaur. They extensively studied other plesiosaur fossils from interstate and overseas collections to assist with this dramatic reconstruction. Approximately three months was devoted to intensive research before making the model. References were also made to living analogues such as leathery turtles, white pointers and marlin for skin textures and colour.

All Photos by Jo Bain