An exhibit at UNB showcases fossils of over 90 million years

Anyone entering the CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) standing on Avenida da Ciência, in the Community Center of the University of Brasilia (UnB), has a sense of progression to the continent.

It’s exposure When it wasn’t all ice – new discoveries in Antarcticaone of the initiatives of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development at the annual meeting of the Brazilian Association for the Advancement of Science (SBPC).

The space collects 160 pieces from Paleoantar, a project of the National Museum linked to the Brazilian Antarctic Program, funded by CNPq.

Exhibition “When Everything Was Not Snow – New Discoveries in Antarctica”, one of the initiatives of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development at the annual meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC). – Walter Campanato / Agencia Brazil

According to the director of the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, Alexander Kellner, among the items on display are eight pieces that were salvaged after the fire that destroyed the building in 2018. “Most of these pieces were collected in projects that followed the massive tragedy that happened in 2018. But We even have some who have been rescued from the palace and are exposed here to visitors,” he said.

The exhibition showcases new fossils, discovered and collected by Paleoantar teams in the Antarctic region between 2015 and 2018.

The exhibition also displays models of the Brazilian Navy ships that transport researchers to Antarctica. Visitors can also see the tents and clothing used by the teams, as well as see the tools used by paleontologists in the field.

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Visitors can see the tents and clothing used by the teams that were in Antarctica – Walter Campanato / Agencia Brazil

A university political science student, Gabriel Yudi, passed by, and was surprised by what he saw. “I found it very well organized, everything was done very well. It is interesting to see fossils from so long ago here in front of you. I loved the whale skull, and I thought that was the most interesting part.”

In addition to the pavilion, CNPQ’s performance at the event includes award giving and participation in round tables.

On Wednesday (27), a special session was held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Brazilian Antarctic programme, Proantar, which promotes scientific studies in the Antarctic region.

CNPQ’s Director of Corporate Collaboration, visiting Turchy, highlighted the importance of the Council’s support and funding for this type of initiative. “Brazil is part of the Antarctic Convention, and Antarctica is very important to the world. So you really need the latest scientific research in this region. CNPQ has this important mission as the main research support agency in the country,” he said.

CNPQ has funded Proantar since 1991. Currently, about 20 research studies are conducted in the fields of life sciences, atmospheric sciences, marine sciences, and earth sciences.