GEOHERITAGE AND EDUCATION: A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE FROM THE RHINOCEROS OF TORIL 3 (CALATAYUD-DAROCA BASIN, SPAIN)

DANIEL BARASOAIN; BEATRIZ AZANZA

Geoheritage

Springer

Año: 2017 vol. 10 p. 363 - 374

1867-2477

The middle Miocene (Aragonian) sites of Toril 3 (Daroca, Aragón, Spain) have provided one of the most important collections of vertebrates from the Calatayud-Daroca basin. The extremely high fossiliferous sites of Toril 3 have relevant geoheritage values, not only for the diversity, importance, and excellent state of preservation of the ancient life recovered, but also for its taphonomic, biochronological and museistic interest. Rhinoceroses are largely represented on the sites of Toril 3A y 3B, and conform one of the best preserved collection of Alicornops simorrense of all Europe. Alicornops is a hornless rhinoceros with short limbs and a bulky body which is believed to be one of the few gregarious rhinos that ever existed. Some pieces of A. simorrense, specifically a skull and a jaw, form part of the permanent exhibition of paleontology in the Museum of Natural Sciences of the University of Zaragoza. We believe that these pieces have great and impotant potential as an educational tool, to divulgate concepts about bio and geoconservation for society. A detailed research has been carried out from the paleobiological information that can be obtained by observing the specimens, later to be adapted for seeking an educational application. This action intends to facilitate to the public the results of a research based on the material of the museum, as well as providing visitors with an understanding of the depth of history for millions of years of extant organisms, and an ethic that includes at its core a long-term custody of both fossil and present day species for future generations to enjoy. In order to achieve this objective, a number of questions about the pieces of Alicornops simorrense have been answered with a speech that can be adapted to different kinds of public to facilitate the labour of teaching in the museum. The paper also provides different types of resources that can be used to attract people attention and stimulate visitors during the speech.