Area residents who may have found an unusual rock, fossil or artifact while digging in a garden, planting flowers or plowing a field this spring can find out what they have Tuesday.
The East Tennessee State University and General Shale Natural History Museum and Visitor Center at the Gray Fossil Site will assist the public in identifying such specimens as a part of “Fossil and Artifact ID Night” on Tuesday, June 24, from 4-6 p.m.
During this event, members of the community may bring fossils, rocks, minerals and artifacts to be identified and photographed by the museum’s team of experts. Light refreshments will be served.
“Several scientists will be on hand to help identify finds. Our scientists have backgrounds in paleontology, archeology and geology,” said Brett Woodward, collections manager for the museum.
“Because we have scientists with different interests and areas of expertise, we are able to better identify more types of specimens. We enjoy seeing what visitors bring to ‘Fossil and Artifact ID Night.’ It really helps us to better understand our region’s past.”
The museum will not be appraising fossils or artifacts.
The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is located 1.8 miles off Exit 13 on Interstate 26.
For more information, call (866) 202-6223 or visit the museum at www.etsu.edu/naturalhistorymuseum.
For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 439-8346.