Opening this Thursday, June 18th, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, “From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage” is a groundbreaking new exhibition commemorating America’s 250th anniversary through more than 600 rare objects and specimens representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. Drawn from the museum’s collection of more than 148 million artifacts and specimens, the 5,000-square-foot exhibition explores the people, landscapes, discoveries, traditions, and defining moments that have shaped the United States across millions of years of natural and cultural history. Many of the objects on display have rarely or never before been exhibited publicly.
Representing North Carolina in the exhibition are fossil “megalodon” teeth, one of 14 objects from the state featured in the From These Lands exhibition. North Carolina’s state fossil is not a whole organism. Instead, it is the teeth of the mega toothed shark (Otodus megalodon), commonly known as “megalodon.” This extinct species lived between 3 and 5 million years ago and grew up to 60 feet long—three times the size of a modern great white shark. These colossal creatures sported several rows of sharp, 6-inch teeth that helped them take down large prey such as whales, seals, sea cows and sea turtles. Fossils like these reveal the presence of ancient species that once dominated marine ecosystems.
The exhibition highlights the unique natural, cultural, scientific, and historical contributions connected to North Carolina and is expected to be viewed by millions of visitors from around the world during its multi-year engagement in Washington, D.C.
“This exhibition brings the entire country into one gallery,” said Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. “As the country marks its 250th anniversary, ‘From These Lands’ presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history and the connections that link people and the natural world across borders.”
