A long, long time ago, the region that is now New Mexico was part of a giant land mass, and it was located on the equator. The climate was warm and tropical and much of the present-day state was covered in warm, shallow seas. This was before humans existed and before dinosaurs existed—252 to 541 million years ago. In addition to exhibitions about dinosaurs, geology, natural history, and more, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has recently opened a new permanent exhibition, The Bradbury Stamm Construction Hall of Ancient Life, that covers the vast geologic history of ancient life in the state.
Piecing together the story of ancient life in New Mexico can read like a detective story. “Having [these fossils] as a resource to figure out how to tell the stories: What can we learn from these? How can we reconstruct what New Mexico was like millions, or hundreds of millions, of years before any people were here?” says Matt Celeskey, Curator of Exhibits.
“We’re always discovering new fossils. … You think you know something, or you think you understand something, and in comes a new fossil and it changes understanding,” says Curator of Paleontology Spencer Lucas. “One of the things the Hall will convey is the fact that we really don’t know everything. We’re showing you a snapshot, if you will, of what we know now about New Mexico between about five hundred and two-fifty million—but I guarantee in twenty years or fifty years, we’ll know more.”
Mentioned in this Episode:
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
The Bradbury Stamm Construction Hall of Ancient Life
Before the Famous Fossils: Ancient Life in the Paleozoic Era in New Mexico article in Spring 2025 issue of El Palacio
Video walkthrough of exhibition in its final stages of construction
Gordodon reptile fossil found near Alamogordo
Eoscansor tree-climbing reptile fossil found near Chama
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you loved about the episode, share a personal story it made you think of, or ask us a question at elpalacio@dca.nm.gov. You can write a regular email or record a short voice memo and attach it for us to listen to.
Visit newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours, and more.
Our favorite way to fully experience everything they have to offer is with the New Mexico CulturePass. Reserve yours online!
If you love New Mexico, you’ll love El Palacio Magazine! Subscribe to El Palacio today.
Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio Magazine
Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann
Technical Director & Post-Production Audio: Edwin R. Ruiz
Recording Engineer: Collin Ungerleider and Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe
Editor & Production Manager: Alex Riegler
Associate Producer & Editor: Monica Braine (Assiniboine/Lakota)
Theme Music: D’Santi Nava
A long, long time ago, the region that is now New Mexico was part of a giant land mass, and it was located on the equator. The climate was warm and tropical and much of the present-day state was covered in warm, shallow seas. This was before humans existed and before dinosaurs existed—252 to 541 million years ago. In addition to exhibitions about dinosaurs, geology, natural history, and more, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has recently opened a new permanent exhibition, The Bradbury Stamm Construction Hall of Ancient Life, that covers the vast geologic history of ancient life in the state.
Piecing together the story of ancient life in New Mexico can read like a detective story. “Having [these fossils] as a resource to figure out how to tell the stories: What can we learn from these? How can we reconstruct what New Mexico was like millions, or hundreds of millions, of years before any people were here?” says Matt Celeskey, Curator of Exhibits.
“We’re always discovering new fossils. … You think you know something, or you think you understand something, and in comes a new fossil and it changes understanding,” says Curator of Paleontology Spencer Lucas. “One of the things the Hall will convey is the fact that we really don’t know everything. We’re showing you a snapshot, if you will, of what we know now about New Mexico between about five hundred and two-fifty million—but I guarantee in twenty years or fifty years, we’ll know more.”
Mentioned in this Episode:
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
The Bradbury Stamm Construction Hall of Ancient Life
Before the Famous Fossils: Ancient Life in the Paleozoic Era in New Mexico article in Spring 2025 issue of El Palacio
Video walkthrough of exhibition in its final stages of construction
Gordodon reptile fossil found near Alamogordo
Eoscansor tree-climbing reptile fossil found near Chama
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you loved about the episode, share a personal story it made you think of, or ask us a question at elpalacio@dca.nm.gov. You can write a regular email or record a short voice memo and attach it for us to listen to.
Visit newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours, and more.
Our favorite way to fully experience everything they have to offer is with the New Mexico CulturePass. Reserve yours online!
If you love New Mexico, you’ll love El Palacio Magazine! Subscribe to El Palacio today.
Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio Magazine
Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann
Technical Director & Post-Production Audio: Edwin R. Ruiz
Recording Engineer: Collin Ungerleider and Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe
Editor & Production Manager: Alex Riegler
Associate Producer & Editor: Monica Braine (Assiniboine/Lakota)
Theme Music: D’Santi Nava
Instagram: @newmexicanculture and @elpalaciomagazine A long, long time ago, the region that is now New Mexico was part of a giant land mass, and it was located on the equator. The climate was warm and tropical and much of the present-day state was covered in warm, shallow seas. This was before humans existed and before dinosaurs existed—252 to 541 million years ago. In addition to exhibitions about dinosaurs, geology, natural history, and more, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has recently opened a new permanent exhibition, The Bradbury Stamm Construction Hall of Ancient Life, that covers the vast geologic history of ancient life in the state.
Piecing together the story of ancient life in New Mexico can read like a detective story. “Having [these fossils] as a resource to figure out how to tell the stories: What can we learn from these? How can we reconstruct what New Mexico was like millions, or hundreds of millions, of years before any people were here?” says Matt Celeskey, Curator of Exhibits.
“We’re always discovering new fossils. … You think you know something, or you think you understand something, and in comes a new fossil and it changes understanding,” says Curator of Paleontology Spencer Lucas. “One of the things the Hall will convey is the fact that we really don’t know everything. We’re showing you a snapshot, if you will, of what we know now about New Mexico between about five hundred and two-fifty million—but I guarantee in twenty years or fifty years, we’ll know more.”
Mentioned in this Episode:
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
The Bradbury Stamm Construction Hall of Ancient Life
Before the Famous Fossils: Ancient Life in the Paleozoic Era in New Mexico article in Spring 2025 issue of El Palacio
Video walkthrough of exhibition in its final stages of construction
Gordodon reptile fossil found near Alamogordo
Eoscansor tree-climbing reptile fossil found near Chama
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you loved about the episode, share a personal story it made you think of, or ask us a question at elpalacio@dca.nm.gov. You can write a regular email or record a short voice memo and attach it for us to listen to.
Visit newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours, and more.
Our favorite way to fully experience everything they have to offer is with the New Mexico CulturePass. Reserve yours online!
If you love New Mexico, you’ll love El Palacio Magazine! Subscribe to El Palacio today.
Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio Magazine
Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann
Technical Director & Post-Production Audio: Edwin R. Ruiz
Recording Engineer: Collin Ungerleider and Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe
Editor & Production Manager: Alex Riegler
Associate Producer & Editor: Monica Braine (Assiniboine/Lakota)
Theme Music: D’Santi Nava
Instagram: @newmexicanculture and @elpalaciomagazine