Arizona Museum of Natural History, Mesa, AZ Videos

Mesa Mammoth Episode 6
In episode 6 of the Mesa Mammon series, Dr. Bob explains that not all fossils are made of stone. Is the Mesa Mammoth bone or stone? How does the answer affect scientific dating using carbon 14? Find out in this episode!

Mesa Mammoth Episode 5
Episode 5 of The Mesa Mammoth is the next in a series of short videos about a mammoth discovered in Mesa, Arizona. In this episode, Dr. Bob talks about the river terraces mentioned in the previous episode and Carbon 14 dating. Can it be used to accurately date this discovery?

Turtle Gets an Examination
Taking care of animals is a big responsibility. Aside from daily care, each animal is also regularly examined by a veterinarian. Dr. Driggers from The Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Arizona recently noticed something about the turtle during his examination and wanted a closer look. The turtle was taken off-exhibit so it could be treated. Regular care such as this will ensure the turtle will be here for another 20 years.

Mesa Mammoth Episode 4
Dr. Bob discusses how river terraces form over time and if Carbon 14 testing could be used to find the age of the Mesa Mammoth—more on that subject in Episode 5. You will find previous episodes on our YouTube channel.

Gavin Talks Fossil Preparation
Scientists at AZMNH have access to a large and varied collection of fossils, including dinosaurs, massive mammals, tiny rodent-like animals, and more. Preparing fossils requires a great deal of time, skill and patience, but it is necessary to reveal important anatomical features.

AZMNH Names New Curator of Anthropology
We are pleased to announce Dr. Ismael Sanchez-Morales has accepted the role of Curator of Anthropology at The Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH). As an active research institute, AZMNH cares for a large collection of artifacts, many of which represent the ancestors of the indigenous people still living in Arizona today. It is a vital part of the work that these connections be honored. Dr. Sanchez-Morales received his doctorate from the University of Arizona in Anthropology (Archaeology) and has numerous honors and published works. Having spent many years in the field and in the laboratory, he has gained a uniquely broad knowledge of the ancient cultures of the American Southwest, Northwest Mexico, and Northern Africa, how those cultures interacted with their landscapes and their cultural influence on the people living in those areas today.

Merry Museum - Happy Holidays! 2023
Merry Museum! We may not be decking Mammal Hall, but we are decking the lobby for holiday fun and smiles! Join us tomorrow between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM for free admission to AZMNH as part of the Merry Main Street celebration! #MerryMainStreet

The Mesa Mammoth - Episode 3
In this episode, Dr. Bob talks about how a date range for the Mesa Mammoth can be framed using a study of the Salt River's actions on the landscape over time and the difficulty of other dating methods. #MesaMammoth

Black Friday Shopping at AZMNH
It's Black Friday! That traditional great shopping day. Consider making the AZMNH Store one of your stops. They have so many great gifts, always at low prices, and you can pick up a membership for that special dinosaur lover in your life!

The Mesa Mammoth - Episode 2
In this episode, Dr. Bob talks about why the Mesa Mammoth was initially of interest to anthropologists at ASU and discusses the possible date the animal once lived.

Take a Prehistoric Road Trip this Weekend!
Plan your prehistoric road trip today! Some say it isn't the destination that matters it's the journey. The Arizona Museum of Natural History is a journey and a destination! Journey through the past, through scientific discovery, through extinction-level events, and so much more!

World Kindness Day 2023
A smile, a greeting, picking up something dropped, a bottle of water, or a silent moment of understanding - our intentional acts of kindness need not be grand gestures. Even the smallest moment of kindness will not go unnoticed by the person you give it to. Intentional acts of kindness elevate the individual and refresh our focus on the good in the world, and it just feels right! #worldkindessday

The Mesa Mammoth - Episode 1
The Mesa Mammoth has come home! Where was it found? Where has it been? What can we learn from it? These questions and more will be answered in this multi-episode series with Dr. Robert 'Bob' McCord, the Curator of Paleontology at AZMNH. Enjoy this first episode. #MesaMammoth

Exhibitions Coordinator Tim Walters Retires
Exhibits Coordinator extraordinaire Tim Walters has retired! It is impossible to catalog all of the contributions Tim has made over the years. He has not only built incredible exhibits but has built lasting relationships as friend and mentor. For Tim, the word 'tired' didn't seem to have the same meaning as it does for the rest of us; for Tim, it seemed to mean 'work harder.' Tim is brilliant, clever, skilled, kind, patient, and loved.

Mymoorapelta at the Library
The Arizona Museum of Natural History delivered a 13-foot-long Mymoorapelta replica to the Mesa Public Library. The dinosaur will be on display in the library's lobby through the end of October 2023. Plus, they'll have dino-themed programs for all ages: https://bit.ly/457wQDv

Our Unbroken Connection to the Past
Think about your elders, your ancestors, your history, your culture, and find excitement in the present's unbroken connection to the past. This is how we can stride forward into a future of trust, respect and mutual admiration. Have a joyous Indigenous Peoples Day! #indigenouspeoplesday

Why aren't they here today?
Large mammals roamed Arizona until their sudden disappearance, a topic of great discussion among scientists. Explore the animals and the science behind their extinction starting Saturday, September 30, 2023, with the opening of an exciting new gallery at AZMNH.

Stagecoach leaves AZMNH
We knew the stagecoach got into the museum, so there had to be a way to get it out again, even though it was too large to fit through the exhibit hall door. Exhibits Coordinator Tim had a plan involving a moving company, experts, another museum, volunteers, and hard work!

Museum To-Go Boxes
The Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH) and the Mesa Public Library have partnered to bring new Museum To-Go boxes to Valley public school teachers. The wheeled boxes are full of fossils, museum-quality replicas, and lesson plans tied to Arizona state education standards. https://www.mesalibrary.org/find/stuffbrary Every year, thousands of school children visit AZMNH on in-person and virtual field trips. The boxes were created to introduce as many opportunities to learn as possible. Teachers may check out a box from the Mesa Public Libraryy for classroom use in stand-alone lessons or in conjunction with the compelling museum exhibits, artifacts and hands-on activities found on AZMNH field trips. Because of our partnership with the Mesa Public Library, public school teachers that are Library cardholders can check out Museum To-Go boxes through the Mesa Public Library’s “Stuffbrary” (valid school identification also required). The Stuffbrary is a great place to borrow household items, play equipment and more. Stuff is available at all Mesa Public Library locations, though some items are branch specific. Museum To-Go boxes will only be available at the main library.

Arizona Monsoon Thunderstorms and Flash Floods
Tall clouds behind the Superstition Mountains are a reminder of that meteorological singularity known as the Arizona Monsoon. Quickly dumping incredible amounts of rain, these monsoon thunderstorms frequently result in flash floods. They are awe-inspiring, vital to our ecosystem, and can be dangerous. #MonsoonSafety