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— Experience Excavating Cretaceous Strata from 90 Million Years Ago in Hokuto City —

Specially brought to the museum from Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, are strata dating back approximately 90 million years to the Mesozoic Cretaceous period. Waseda University has been conducting excavation research in this area since 2012. Participants will search for fossils within these strata.

In last year’s fossil excavation experience, more than 320 “premium fossils” were discovered, including dinosaur fossils, such as sauropods, as well as crocodile fossils, shark teeth, and turtle shells. What kinds of fossils will be waiting for you this year?

*If you discover a premium fossil, it will be donated to Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, as it is a valuable research material. In return, the discoverer’s name will be recorded, and a wonderful fossil will be presented as a gift.
We refer to academically important fossils as “premium fossils”!

■ Event Dates:
Saturday, July 8; Sunday, July 9; Saturday, July 15; Sunday, July 16; Saturday, July 22; Sunday, July 23; Thursday, July 27 – Monday, July 31; Wednesday, August 9 – Sunday, August 13

*Held in light rain; canceled in the event of severe weather.

■ Time:
① From 10:30 a.m.
② From 1:00 p.m.
③ From 3:00 p.m.
*There will be no third session on August 13.

■ Capacity: 50 participants per session

■ Program: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes per session, including an introductory lecture of about 10 minutes

■ What to Bring: Work gloves, a hat for sun protection, and drinks

■ Instructors: Ren Hirayama, Professor at Waseda University; Hikaru Uno, Waseda University; Yasushi Kubo, The University Museum, The University of Tokyo; and others
*Instructors vary depending on the experience date.

■ Venue: Rakuda Park on the rooftop of the Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum

■ Participation Fee:
Adults: ¥1,200, including museum admission
Junior high school students and younger: ¥600
Museum admission is free for junior high school students and younger.

■ Application Opens: From 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10

■ How to Apply: Please apply through the Fossil Excavation Experience 2023 dedicated website, which will be published on the top page of the museum website at 10:00 a.m. on June 10.
*Notifications will be sent to the email address you register. Please register an email address that can receive messages from us.

■ Organized by: Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum Foundation

■ Cooperation: Ren Hirayama Laboratory, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University; Kuji Amber Museum

■ Supported by: Yamanashi Prefectural Board of Education; Hokuto City Board of Education; Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun / Yamanashi Broadcasting System

The application date for the Fossil Excavation Experience has been changed to a Saturday, making it easier for parents to take time off.

In response to requests from those who would like to apply together with the related programs, applications for the related programs will be accepted by phone from 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10.

There will be a one-hour interval between the two application start times. We look forward to receiving your reservations.