May 31 - June 25

2021 Archaeology Field School

Traditional method means using only the antler, bone, ivory, wood, and stones that were available to a specific culture, region, and time period. Learn terminology of stone tool production and the many different kinds of tools you can make. You will be able to identify what activity took place just from looking at the debris left behind. 

More Information

The exhibition will feature over 100 skulls from the IMNH collections and 3D printing. The range in size from over 7 feet to less than an inch. See a minke whale, great hammerhead shark, Diabloceratops, birds, lizards, and skulls like yours. Pose in front of the wall of spikes, a showcase of horns, antlers, bumps, knobs, and frills animals use to live their life. From giant saltwater crocodiles to dinosaurs, whales, and bison, you will never look in the mirror the same way again!

Learn More

March 12, 2021

5 - 8 p.m.

Go behind the scenes with Anthropology Collections Manager, Amber Tews, who will show you the amazing items we have from different cultures from around the world. Because your safety is our number one priority registration is required.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Limited Group Size - Regular Admission Applies

Paleoart by Mauricio Anton

New research published Jan. 14, 2021 turns our idea of the iconic dire wolves of the ice age upside down. Researchers, including our very own Affiliate Curator Dr. Mary Thompson, sequenced five genomes from dire wolf fossils between 50,000 and 13,000 years old (two from American Falls, and permanently in IMNH collections and one is currently on display in Skulls). The surprising results showed that dire wolves belonged to a much older lineage of dogs. Dire wolves evolved in the Americas and had no close kinship with gray wolves, which came over from Eurasia more recently. The strong resemblance between the two, the researchers say, is a case of convergent evolution, whereby different species develop similar adaptations—or even appearances—thanks to a similar way of life.

READ FULL ARTICLE

Check out a new publication co-authored by our Collections Manager, Amy Commendador. This study examines prehistoric childhood diet in the Solomon Islands using stable isotope ratio analyses of human teeth. Instead of traditional bulk sampling, they expand on a new method that examines each tooth incrementally, allowing for explorations of changes in diet while the tooth is forming. In their case, they were able to track diet from 0 to 10 years of age. Overall, the data from their pilot study suggests that 1) in contrast to findings for adults, there were no differences in childhood diet based on social status; 2) children who died in childhood had lower nitrogen isotope values than those that survived to adulthood, suggesting a link between diet, nutritional health and morbidity; and 3) males and females may have had different dietary patterns throughout their lives. Though this was a pilot study it highlights the potential of this type of higher resolution analysis for insights into childhood diet. 

Read Full Article

At the IMNH, our philosophy is all about discovery! Discovery through world-class, science-based programming that highlights the incredible life, earth, and anthropology collections we steward for the State of Idaho, its citizens, and our visitors. 

Get involved in the following ways:

BECOME A MEMBER

DONATE

VOLUNTEER