During our "L" post for ABC Wednesday, we show the new branch of National Taiwan Museum, which was originally the head office of Land Bank of Taiwan. The main attraction in the main hall is a brand new exhibition of dinosaurs. The structure of the museum and the exhibition is probably less than 10% of the main hall of the Natural History Museum of British Museum in London. But, still, it is very impressive and educational. I joked with Grace that , since dinosaurs are such popular culture items, there must be a whole industry of making dinosaur models to provide exhibition for small museums around the world. I was so wrong, there is an industry of dinosaur bones all right but not for fake dinosaur models. I thought that I must make an amendment in this follow up blog. 
Deep in Taiwan's mountain, there are deposits of marble of different quality and color. There used to be a thriving industry of these materials. The trade was eventually banned by the government to protect the environment. Some of the merchants turn to importation of crystals and semiprecious stones. Two buddies in the trade also developed interest in the collection of fossils. Their hobby and now business took them to all over the world. One of them went so far as went to Germany to receive formal training in fossil cleaning, including dinosaur bones. They started business with 4 people in a 180 square feet room 12 years ago. Now Paleowonders Mineral and Fossil Museum with is affiliated Institute and Nature Shop is the only professional fossil cleaning service in Asia, and one of the only four in the world. 
Their little office in Taipei has a collection of over 10,000 dinosaur specimen. They provide service for museums around the world. But fossil trading is not just for museum and academics anymore. Last November, Nicolas Cage just outbid Leonardo DiCaprio for a dinosaur skull for US$ 276,000. The dinosaur exhibition in the new branch of National Taiwan Museum are real dinosaur fossils provided by our local Paleowonders Institute.
To see more entries of ABC Wednesday from around the world click here.
To see more Camera-Critters from around the world click here. Sorry for the Camera-Critters fans, these are not cute, huggable pets. These are the carcasses of vicious animals from the ancient past.
21 comments:
What a fascinating way to earn a living. Your photos are wonderful!
Another wonderful and fascinating post for the day. And as always, your photos are marvelous! Hope your week is going well!
Sylvia
great minds think alike! i always thought there's a factory somewhere around the world great dinasour for exhibition after seeing so many in different countries haha :D anyways a great pictures as usual!
your photos are amazing beautiful. Are you using a compact ? I love the zoom AND MACRO. They are so sharp. clear and nice. What camera is that ?
Fascinating information. I think it would be so interesting to work with fossils. Thanks for the great post.
The National Museum of Singapore used to be famous here due to the Dinosaur and whale skeletons, but after the whole place went into upgrading, the bones had to make way to other exhibits. I almost post the picture of the national museum but changed my mind at the last minute.
Great photos - love the first.
Nice photos. And since I have yet to visit the Natural History Museum in London, I think your museum is plenty big!
As ever, so utterly fascinating,thanks so much for contributing - always appreciated.
Denise (ABC Team)
Wow, fascinating! Your photos are so good. Natural History museums are always so interesting. Wonderful post.
I am very interested in fossils so I've found your post fascinating. I had no idea that such a service existed.
I have never been to a dinosaur museum.. it's amazing.. To think these dinosaure traversed the earth before the humans did.:O
I just can't believe these things existed!
What an amazing place! To think, there are people who aspire to putting dinosaurs back together. So glad they do so we can enjoy a piece of history.
Grace & Bradley: Very interesting post. It is great to see these interesting displays.
"My, what big teeth you have." Glad to see the post.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Looks like a great place to visit!
wow
This is an amazing array of photos. I love natural history such as this.
Here are my entries for the day.
What fun! I love museums ... of all kinds ... so much to learn!
Very interesting. I did not know that fossils were for sale, seems like they should all belong to all of us. thanks for sharing.
Great post and a cool choice for Camera Critters. Loved the photos!
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