NORMAN, Okla. – The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is proud to announce the opening of the acclaimed temporary fossil exhibition, Formed inStone:TheNaturalBeauty of Fossils, opening Nov. 1 and runningthroughJan.4,2026.
Formed in Stone invites visitors to explore the ancient world through a striking blend of science and art. The exhibition showcases fossil specimens from the museum’s renowned invertebrate paleontology collection, paired with high-resolution photographs magnified up to 60 times. These images reveal the intricate textures, fractal geometry and delicate ornamentation that have remained hidden in stone for millions of years.
“This exhibit offers a rare opportunity to see fossils not just as scientific evidence of life’s history, but also as natural works of art,” says Dr. David Wright, assistant curator of the museum’s invertebrate fossil collection and professor of paleobiology in the School of Geosciences. “It’s a visual journey back in time that will captivate visitors of all ages and hopefully inspire them to learn more about these incredible ancient species.”
The Sam Noble Museum’s invertebrate paleontology collection, built over more than a century of fieldwork and research, includes more than one million specimens andisconsideredoneofNorth America’s most significant archives of fossilized invertebrate life. Formed in Stone is designed to engage a wide audience, from art lovers and students to families and fossil enthusiasts. Through its combination of aesthetic wonder and scientific legacy, the exhibit transforms ancient life into a modern visual experience.
For questions, additional photo or video assets, or to schedule an interview with museum researchers, please contact alexander-mann@ou.edu by email, or by phone at (405) 325-0598.