Two hundred and fifty million years ago, a dicynodont (mammal-like reptile) was munching plants in what is now North-east Scotland (present-day Elgin, to be precise); today a laser prototype of its skull can be seen at Satrosphere, Aberdeen's hands-on science centre. The prototype, together with dino-bones are part of a special Dinosaur Easter week-end on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April. The event will feature illustrated talks by Dr Neil Clark of the University of Glasgow and hands-on activities for visitors to delve into this fascinating world of pre-history.

Scottish palaeontology has seen some exciting developments in recent years. Dr Neil Clark, Curator of Palaeontology at the University of Glasgow's Hunterian Museum, and the only active researcher in the field has been involved with the discovery of dinosaur bones and footprints and the innovative application of hospital imaging technology which has shed new light on Scotland's earliest inhabitants.He will share his findings on the lifestyles of Scottish dinosaurs with Satrosphere visitors using projected images and a collection of real and replica dinosaur remains including eggs.

Dr Clark will introduce his audience to dinosaurs such as the Megalosaurus, a huge meat-eating beastie, nine metres in length, whose footprints, measuring over 50cm and the largest so far discovered in Scotland, were found at Staffin Bay on the Isle of Skye. The bones of prehistoric Elgin's dicynodont came from a much smaller plant-eating reptile, whose body was about the size of a large pig. The laser prototype of the dicynodont's 25cm-long skull was made by using medical CT and MRI scans, and allows us to see for the first time what the skull would have looked like.

Dr Clark's prehistoric menagerie also includes the Cetiosaurus, similar to the Diplodocus, with elephant feet and a long neck and tail; and the world's earliest stegosaur/ankylosaur ancestor, which was also found on Skye.

'Dinosaur remains are a rare find on Skye," says Dr Clark, "as most of the rocks that are of the right age are capped by igneous rocks and it takes a long time for bits to fall off to expose fossils or bones.'

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Dr Neil Clark can be contacted for further information on 0141 330 4221 / 3599 or email at nclark@museaum.gla.ac.uk

Alternatively, please contact the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535 / 3683

First published: 17 April 2003