A new display in the works at the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center will explain Iowa’s geologic history while also showing off Iowans’ very own historical artifacts.

According to Matt Cosgrove, Webster County Conservation director, the local archeology exhibit should be completed by Oct. 18 for an archeology field day to celebrate archeology month.

Webster County Conservation has partnered with Mark Anderson from the Sanford Museum in Cherokee for the exhibit.

“The intent of this project is to inform people about the geologic history and human past of Webster County and the greater north central Iowa region,” said Anderson. “People can see fossils, the bedrock, gypsum mining, and the gravelly soils and wonder how they got here. The six colorful panels will have accompanying text to explain some of that. The prehistory displays tell the story of the length of time that people have lived here and the changes that happened through that time.”

The six panels are murals designed and painted by Iowa Central Community College visual arts students and professors which showcase Iowa’s geological history and include dinosaurs, seas, and even early humans. The murals are currently on display at River’s Edge Discovery Center.

Anderson’s research and artifacts will be on display alongside the murals and will further educate visitors about Iowa’s history.

“The founding of Webster County was based on the production of gypsum, coal, clay pottery, and limestone, all because of the geology,” said Anderson. “Artifacts found throughout the county show evidence of the 13,500 years of known human occupation including the earliest identified by a point type called Clovis. There are several known sites of this age along the Des Moines River. Every place has a unique set of conditions that make it different than other places and these displays provide a little bit of that information.”

Some of the artifacts that will be on display in October have been provided by area residents who have helped with collecting them and recording their findings.

“Many citizen scientists have contributed to understanding Webster County’s story,” said Anderson. “In particular, citizen scientists have played an important role in collecting artifacts, carefully mapping and recording their finds, and keeping items found in one place separate from others. This is of considerable use to professionals because of the detailed time and effort they took in doing the job right.”

The new exhibit is expected to be completed by Oct. 18 and will be available for viewing at the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center.