March 9, 2015 - Merced College’s 2014-2015 Performance and Lecture Series continues on Thursday, March 12, with “Living Above the Fossil Zoo: 23 Million Years of Geologic History Under the Central Valley,” a lecture presented by Physical Sciences Professor Robert Davies. The free public lecture will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Lesher 111.
“This lecture will provide a history of the Central Valley, from the Miocene Epoch (23 million years ago) when the whole Central Valley was part of the ocean,” Professor Davies said. “We'll progress forward through time, and on the way we'll meet mammoths, camels and oysters as large as basketballs. Come learn about the rich fossil heritage of our valley, and imagine a time when Merced looked much like the African Savannah.”
Professor Davies’ lecture will be supported by a display of actual fossils, which the public will be able to examine.
According to Arts Division Dean John Albano, “the Performance and Lecture Series is dedicated to providing informative, enlightening, and accessible cultural opportunities for the citizens of Merced County and surrounding areas.”
Davies has taught geology, astronomy, and physical science at Merced College for nine years. His first love is the world of fossils and prehistoric life. Davies completed his master's thesis on the evolution and morphology of Mammoths of the Pleistocene era. He has also worked as a paleontologist and geologist in private industry for the past six years. Educating citizens of the Central Valley about the rich geologic heritage they live on is one of Professor Davies’ primary interests.
The Performance and Lecture series is supported by a grant from the Merced College Foundation. All of the events are free and open to the public.
The series will conclude on Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Merced College Theater with the production of an original theater piece, “In Search of Hallman,” written and directed by Philosophy Professor Lorraine Barnes.
For more information about the Performance and Lecture Series, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 209.381.6470.
