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The motion pictures Jurassic Park and The Lost World proved to be blockbusters, and they certainly drew a lot of attention to the subjects of dinosaurs and prehistory. Happily for Maryland, that interest spilled over from the movie industry into the tourism industry. Although the state doesn't lay claim to many dinosaurs, it is reaping the benefits of hosting travelers who literally "dig" history.

No, you won't find "Annapolis Archaeological Action Figures" in the toy store or "Patuxent River Paleontology" kids' meals at the local fast-food franchise, but if you head for Southern Maryland, you will find a vacation that's both entertaining and educational.

Several sites in Southern Maryland offer paleontology and archaeology exhibits that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the scientists and researchers who are trying to unlock some of the mysteries of the region's past inhabitants.