© 2025 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service since 1975
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Get involved now! ProtectMyPublicMedia.org Make the call.

Scientific Mystery Behind State Fossil Finally Solved

Sean McMahon
/
The Field Museum

The Tully monster is Illinois' state fossil, but until recently scientists were not sure what kind of creature it was. A team of researchers compared thousands of specimens and were finally able to classify the Tully Monster.

Jamey Dunn sat down with Paul Mayer, who is Collections Manager of Fossil Invertebrates at the Field Museum in Chicago to talk about the discovery. 

Related Stories