Explore Arizona's Poozeum, the world's largest collection of fossilized poop
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Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
Welcome to Jurassic poop.
The big picture: George Frandsen opened the Poozeum in May along Route 66 in Williams.
- It features the world's largest display of coprolites — fossilized poop.
Why it matters: Coprolites can shed light on prehistoric animals' habitat, range and diet.
Zoom in: Frandsen started acquiring coprolites 27 years ago at age 18, and holds the world record for largest collection, certified in 2015 at 1,277 items.
- He launched an online resource center a decade ago and shortly after began loaning his collection to museums.
- "At the time, I felt the world lacked a hub where the public could learn about these incredible fossils," Frandsen told Axios.
- A few years ago he decided to start his own museum and secured the Williams location earlier this year.
Frandsen told Axios the museum has gotten a warm public reception from, sometimes receiving 400-500 visitors per day.
1 big poop: The Poozeum's crown jewel, as it were, is "Barnum," a piece of fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex poop discovered in South Dakota.
- Barnum is 67.5 centimeters, and is the Guinness World Records-certified largest coprolite ever discovered from a carnivorous animal.
- The museum features many other fossilized poops, and even fossilized farts — "Yes, they exist!" the display explains — captured in amber.
- There's also eclectic coprolite-themed art, as well as a gift shop.
Details: The Poozeum is open 10am-7pm Wednesday-Sunday.
- Admission is free.