DINOSOC
Join the UK's 1st
Student Palaeontology Society.
Bristol - A Life Sciences Hub
A beacon of science & culture in the South West. Bristol may not be as well known as some of the UK's other major cities but it has alot to offer. From its shopping quarter at Cabot Circus & great nightlife to its cultural sights such as the Arnolfini and M shed. Bristol is a city with so much to do. This being a palaeontological website, let us show all that Bristol has to offer the aspiring palaeontologist or anyone that's interested in such things...
The University of Bristol
As a University of Bristol student society, I have to start with our uni, but it's would still top the list even if we weren't! The UoB is regularly in the upper eschelons of the university league tables and the our life sciences research is often world leading or internationally excellent. The UoB regularly holds outreach activities and is now UoB stalls are now regulars at Bristol's Harbourside Festival and Festival of Nature. At these event, you can create your own organism, go deep-sea fishing and see how viruses spread as well as dig up dinosaurs!
Bristol Dinosaur Project
2010 - present
It's official - Bristol has its very own dinosaur! Thecodontosaurus antiquus was the 4th dinosaur ever to be identified and lived in Bristol over 200 million years ago. The project was established in 1999 and has been digging up dinosaurs for the last 14 years. As well as researching the Bristol dinosaur, they've been looking into other aspects Bristolian palaeontology such as it palaeogeography and palaeoclimate. You can find out more about "Theco" and the project at their website, which features all the latest news and events and occaisonally a few competitions.
UoB Palaeobiology & Biodiversity Research Group
The palaeontology department at UoB is world renowned and home to some of the top experts in their field. Ground-breaking research is being carried out within its labs and you can see some of their findings on their website. It features recent news in the department as well as further links to palaeontology-themed websites.
Current research covers a wide range of topics in palaeontology, from the Permian Extinction and the Cambrian Explosion to the origin of feathers and rise of the dinosaurs.
2010 - present
BBC Natural History Unit
Bristol is home to the world renowned BBC Natural History Unit, which has been responsible for the best wildlife documentary film-making ever seen. Their works include, Planet Earth, The Life of Mammals, and Human Planet to name but a few. The NHU often films in locations at and around the University of Bristol, so don't be too surprised if you see Sir David Attenborough, when you're wondering about the School of Biological Sciences!
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Bristol Zoo Gardens is a excellent city zoo - whilst quite small, it's entertaining whilst being actually educational. It has quite a few examples of species you might not see in other zoo's, (the Aye-aye), whilst still exhibiting firm favourites - see the Gorillas in their newly built Island Enclosure. Get up close to some lemurs or climb the high ropes and see life from a monkey's perspective. See it. Sense it. Save it.
Bristol Blue Reef Aquarium
Situated right on the harbourside, Bristol Aquarium is a great day out for all ages, where you can see marine life up close. Walk through the underwater tunnel and see the sharks swim by, get a look a our Giant Pacific Octopus and makes sure you get a picture with Charlie the Clownfish!
