ROYAL, Neb., May 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- U-Haul today announced the release of 2,200 new 10-foot and 14-foot moving vans showcasing the ancient wonders found at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. Discovered in 1970 near Royal, Nebraska, this site is home to a spectacular concentration of complete teleoceras, ancient horse and camel fossils, among many other species, preserved by the volcanic ash that killed them over 12 million years ago.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5098
In 2006, Ashfall Fossil Beds was named a national natural landmark, as designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
At 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2008, U-Haul will officially unveil the Nebraska SuperGraphic, following the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hubbard Rhino Barn, as its "Venture Across America" Campaign visits Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, 86930 517th Avenue in Royal, Nebraska.
"The University of Nebraska State Museum is honored that U-Haul has chosen our Ashfall Fossil Beds State Park to be so vividly represented among its fleet of moving vans. This National Natural Landmark is one of the world's most unique fossil sites, and having Ashfall featured so prominently by U-Haul provides us with the fantastic opportunity to entice even more people to visit this wonderful natural treasure," stated Mark Harris, Associate Director, University of Nebraska State Museum.
Construction of the new rhino barn is made possible through generous support from the Theodore F. and Claire M. Hubbard Family Foundation of Omaha. The new facility will add 17,200 square feet of space for additional excavation of the ancient teleoceras, horses, tiny saber-tooth deer, cranes and turtles.
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is a cooperative project of the University of Nebraska State Museum and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Since studies began in the 1970s, more than 200 fossil skeletons from 12 species of land mammal from the late Miocene period have been discovered at the site.
The Rhino Barn was named after the large amount of ancient rhinoceros that were found at the site. As the most common fossil in Ashfall, the teleoceras was a natural choice for the Nebraska SuperGraphic representing the Ashfall Fossil Beds. Painstaking work has made it possible for museum visitors to witness the majestic fossils of these extinct animals. Today, the teleoceras rises again to ride across North America on the sides of U-Haul moving vans as the latest addition to the "Venture Across America" SuperGraphics series.
"We are thrilled to be able to partner with the University of Nebraska Foundation to take part in the special groundbreaking ceremony and to educate the public about this astounding region of Nebraska," stated Mike Hale, president, U-Haul Company of Nebraska. Now, people all over North America will have the privilege of seeing and learning more about the teleoceras of Ashfall Fossil Beds. These extinct mammals have now been given new life as they travel across North America on the sides of 2,200 U-Haul moving vans."
U-Haul has been decorating its moving trucks with vibrant images featuring distinctive features of every U.S. state and Canadian province since 1988 with the launch of the "America's Moving Adventure" and "Canada's Moving Adventure" U-Haul SuperGraphics Campaigns. The newest SuperGraphics are part of the "Venture Across America" Campaign that highlights little-known facts about North America. Nearly 200 different images have been created since the SuperGraphics Program began. They can be viewed online by visiting www.uhaul.com/supergraphics.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
