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The latest exhibition at QVMAG will take visitors on a journey through time when Permian monsters ruled the world.
Fossilized skeletons and full sized life models will showcase the monster's existence, and an extinction that has baffled scientists for over 20 years.
It is now believed that global warming may have caused the extinction of the Permian species, beginning with an enormous volcanic eruption.
The extinction saw up to 90 per cent of the species wiped out, and is said to be the largest extinction Earth ever experienced.
Presented by Peter Norton from Gondwana Studios, the exhibition combines art and science with a collection of works by award-winning paleoartist Julius Csotonyi.
Gondwana Studios specialises in the production of scientifically accurate fossil reproductions.
The fossil reproductions and models range from giant insects to bizarre looking sharks, and strange reptiles with mammal-like characteristics.
Another predator known as the giant saber-toothed gorgonopsid ‘Inostrancevia’ will be explored, including a near-death experience which paved the way for the Dinosaurs.
The Permian period was the last period of the Paleozoic Era, and is believed to have lasted from about 298 to 252 million years ago.
QVMAG exhibitions manager Andrew Johnson said the exhibition’s curator Peter Norton had a history of success.
“QVMAG really tries to represent the North of the state, so to have an international show coming that’s been produced by a local exhibition person (Norton) is fantastic,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson said he was proud to see the exhibition run for over six months, and would no doubt generate buzz over the Christmas period.
“It’s very exciting the Dinosaur exhibitions are so popular. We haven’t had a paid exhibition for quite some time but we’ll see how it goes,” he said.
“We’ve put it in at a flat rate of $5, which I think will be attractive to families.”
WHAT:
Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs
WHEN:
30 July 2016 to 26 February 2017
WHERE:
QVMAG, Inveresk
COST:
$5 per person