Exhibits for 2010
Crystal Skulls and Gemstone Folklore

     The Dakota Dinosaur Museum will feature two new temporary exhibits for the 2010 summer season. The first exhibit displays minerals and crystals from all over the world carved into the shape of human skulls. This exhibit, brought back by popular demand, contains new and larger skulls never seen before.

     The latest Indiana Jones movie, "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and the recent doomsday 2012 predictions have made crystal skulls very popular. The legend of skulls however extends much farther back in time; the Greeks made reference to the crystal skulls of Atlantis; skull carvings abound in the Mayan civilization and skulls are also an important part of the Native American culture.

     Today, skulls take on different meanings depending on the "eye of the beholder"; some see them as evil symbols, others view them as bringing peace and joy to the world; some believe in using skulls as healing tools and for communicating with the past and the future.
   
     As you enter the museum, Mr. Happy, a skull carved from coral, will greet you and make you laugh with his mysterious grin. Where else can one see 13 crystal quartz skulls in one exhibit or discover a skull containing a natural cross. Find the valuable skull carved from a meteorite or visit Jolly Roger, the one of a kind white jade pirate skull. View the extremely rare skull carved from a single block of amber or examine Oop's Paleolithic brain surgery skull which is sure to be a hit as well as the skulls titled, "Cool Dude, "Geronimo" and the "Punk Rock Kid". This skull exhibit is sure to please visitors of all ages.

     The museum's second temporary exhibit reveals minerals used for centuries as healing stones by many different cultures as described in their folklore. These minerals are displayed as natural minerals, polished stones, massage wands, skulls, spheres, eggs, pillows, hearts and jewelry. You may find a healing mineral is actually your birthstone or maybe it's been a favorite mineral of yours for years. You won't want to miss the "Grail Necklace" formed from a  rare white quartz and enhanced with a very rare green colored Moldavite formed from a meteor impact millions of years ago.

     Today, some people believe stones work miracles while others see no medical benefit but whatever your belief, world cultures and religions through the ages have provided us with many interesting folklore stories about minerals and their healing properties. To expand your knowledge of the world, plan to visit the Dakota Dinosaur Museum this summer.