Five extraordinary Triceratops fossil skeletons from the only known herd ever discovered are coming to Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum in March of the Triceratops.
Opening Saturday 24 October, this major new exhibition brings visitors face-to-face with one of the most iconic dinosaur species to have walked the Earth and offers a rare insight into how these enormous plant-eating animals may have lived together around 66-68 million years ago.
Developed by Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands, March of the Triceratops assembles more than 1,200 bones and fossil fragments from five Triceratops horridus discovered together in a single rock layer near Newcastle, Wyoming.
The fossils were uncovered over six field seasons by a team of researchers, palaeontologists, preparators, students and volunteers. Scientific analysis indicates that the five animals lived and died together, providing rare evidence that Triceratops may have displayed social or herd behaviour.
Naturalis Biodiversity Centre palaeontologist and exhibition curator Dr Prof Anne S. Schulp says the discovery has transformed scientists’ understanding of the species.
“Triceratops fossils are usually found as individual animals, so discovering five together in the same geological layer was extraordinary.”
“Each bone helps us build a more detailed picture of these animals not only what they looked like, but how they grew, moved and may have interacted as a group. This exhibition allows visitors to experience that discovery while seeing the real evidence up close,” says Schulp.
Alongside the authentic fossils, life-sized models, soundscapes, animations and augmented reality will bring the prehistoric herd and its Late Cretaceous environment to life.
Visitors will encounter a life-sized female Triceratops model and animatronic calf, explore interactive stations and touchscreens, and take part in hands-on fossil discovery experiences demonstrating how palaeontologists piece together evidence from the distant past.
Auckland Museum Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive David Reeves says March of the Triceratops will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter a globally significant scientific discovery.
“To stand alongside five Triceratops and experience their size and unique appearance in person will be an unforgettable experience. We are proud to bring these fossils and the latest research surrounding them to Aotearoa and to be the only Australasian venue, as the exhibition commences its extensive international tour,” says Reeves.
March of the Triceratops comes exclusively to Auckland Museum from Saturday 24 October 2026 until Monday 26 April 2027. Tickets will go on sale from 9am Thursday 24 September.
March of the Triceratops was developed, produced and curated by the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Dr. Jimmy de Rooij and Prof. Dr. Anne Schulp from Utrecht University and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center.
