George Frandsen, president and curator, poses for a photo at his "Poozeum" on June 7, 2024, in Williams, Arizona. This museum along Route 66 showcases fossilized animal droppings from ancient times.
Discovering how Tyrannosaurus rex digested its food isn't just about bones—it's also about examining its fossilized excrement. At the Poozeum, a quirky new museum in northern Arizona, visitors are treated to a unique journey through prehistory via coprolites, or fossilized feces. Located in Williams, known for its Wild West charm and Route 66 allure, the museum offers a fascinating look at ancient animal behaviors.
The museum's eye-catching sign, featuring a cartoon T. rex on a toilet, beckons amidst the nostalgic neon glow and '50s tunes of nearby businesses. Inside, display cases brim with coprolites ranging from tiny termite droppings to a hefty specimen weighing 20 pounds. George Frandsen, Poozeum's president and curator, first stumbled upon fossilized poop at 18 and has been captivated by their scientific significance ever since.
While coprolites aren't common, they can dominate fossil collections at some sites, shedding light on past ecosystems and dietary habits. The largest coprolite in Frandsen's collection, thought to be from a T. rex, holds a Guinness World Record. Beyond size, coprolites provide clues about ancient environments and the diets of creatures long gone.
These fossils, once soft mud, have transformed into rock-hard relics over millions of years, preserving intricate details and clues about prehistoric life. Visitors like fossil enthusiast Brandee Reynolds marvel at these insights, adding a touch of wonder to their road trips through Arizona.
In the broader field of paleontology, experts like Anthony Fiorillo emphasize the importance of public engagement and education. Fossils not only inspire curiosity but also contribute to scientific understanding, fueling hypotheses about Earth's ancient past. Whether in private quarries or public displays, fossils serve as windows into worlds long lost, encouraging new generations to explore the natural wonders of our planet.
