Explore stone tools and see where human technology originated.

Stone tools were first produced approximately 3.3 million years ago and form the beginning of the archaeological record. Survey stone tools from the anthropology collections and meet Research Associate Sara Watson as she illustrates the complexity of ancient technologies and shows how deeply ingrained the use of technology is in our evolutionary lineage.

Ancient Technology: Stone Tools

Discover the mysteries behind 120 million year old fossilized plants from Mongolia

Come join Fabiani Herrera, Negaunee Associate Curator of Paleobotany, as he reveals the mysteries behind 120 million year old fossilized plants from Mongolia through the use of a Scanning Electron Microscope.
Examine different parts of these fossil plants under the Scanning Electron Microscope to reveal their tiny secrets that shaped the Age of Dinosaurs and beyond! Discover the characteristics of these ancient plants that connect them to some of their current modern relatives and help scientists map their evolutionary lineage.
Dr. Fabiani's research on ancient fossil plants is further showcased throughout <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/after-the-age-of-dinosaurs">After the Age of Dinosaurs</a> now on display.

Meet a Scientist: Mongolian Fossil Plants 

These creatures stay merry and bright during long winter nights all by themselves – no string lights required.

While humans have taken to hanging up twinkling lights to cope with dark environments, other creatures have found even more creative ways to light up the darkness &ndash; by producing light with their own bodies.
Animals and fungi evolved bioluminescence for nearly every reason under the moon: from luring prey, to camouflage, alerting others of danger or attracting a mate - being able to produce your own light can have many advantages.&nbsp;
Come see some bioluminescing creatures, including flying squirrels, fish, and fungi, up-close at a very merry Meet a Scientist in the Grainger Science Hub. From 10am to 12pm you can talk with experts and learn why producing your own light is more than just a cool party trick.
Scientists, researchers, and collections managers are behind the scenes every day, uncovering new information and taking care of our collection.
During Meet a Scientist, you can find them in the Grainger Science Hub. They'll discuss their work and share real items from the museum&rsquo;s collection of nearly 40 million objects. From collections care to field work, and dinosaurs to ecology, there&rsquo;s a world of science to explore.
Visit the Science Hub on select weekdays for an up-close look at what our researchers do every day.

Photograph of the bioluminescent millipede Motyxia sequoiae (Loomis & Davenport, 1951)

Meet a Scientist: Bioluminescence

Scientists, researchers, and collections managers are behind the scenes every day, uncovering new information and taking care of our collection.
During Meet a Scientist, you can find them in the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/grainger-science-hub">Grainger&nbsp;Science Hub</a>. They'll discuss their work and share real items from the museum&rsquo;s collection of nearly 40 million objects. From collections care to field work, and dinosaurs to ecology, there&rsquo;s a world of science to explore.
Visit the&nbsp;Science Hub on select weekdays for an up-close look at what our researchers do every day.

Meet a Scientist

See the latest science firsthand in the Grainger Science Hub.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, December 17

Friday, December 19

Tuesday, December 30