Articles for author: Awais Khan

The Extinction Mystery: Why Did Polar Survivors Die Out?

How Cold Was the Cretaceous? Evidence of Polar Dinosaurs

When you picture dinosaurs, images of steamy tropical jungles and lush swamplands probably come to mind. That’s what we’ve been told for decades – these massive reptiles basking in perpetual warmth. But here’s where things get absolutely fascinating: some of the most incredible dinosaur discoveries have come from the coldest places on Earth. We’re talking ...

"Sue" the Tyrannosaurus rex in its new suite in the Evolving Planet exhibit hall at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, United States

What Fossilized Ankles Tell Us About Dinosaur Evolution

Deep within the earth, preserved in stone for millions of years, dinosaur fossils have been quietly holding the secrets of an ancient world. While teeth, skulls, and towering leg bones often capture our imagination, some of the most revealing evidence about dinosaur evolution comes from a surprisingly humble source: ankle bones. These small skeletal components ...

Dinosaurs roam a lush forest with ferns and tall trees. A large carnivore approaches a smaller group, creating a tense, prehistoric scene.

Could Dinosaurs Climb Trees? New Fossil Evidence Suggests Yes

The image of dinosaurs roaming prehistoric landscapes has captivated our imagination for generations. Traditionally depicted as ground-dwelling creatures, scientists have long debated whether certain dinosaur species possessed the ability to climb trees. Recent paleontological discoveries have begun to challenge conventional thinking, suggesting that arboreal capabilities might have been more widespread among dinosaurs than previously believed. ...

Fossilized dinosaur skeleton partially embedded in rock, showcasing a long tail and rib cage. The ancient remains evoke a sense of prehistoric mystery.

How Paleontologists Reconstruct a Dinosaur From Just a Few Bones

From the dusty excavation sites to museum displays of magnificent prehistoric creatures, the journey of dinosaur reconstruction is nothing short of scientific detective work. Paleontologists around the world piece together ancient puzzles using fragments of the past, often working with remarkably little material. But how exactly do scientists transform a handful of fossilized bones into ...

The image shows a towering T. rex skeleton in a museum. The open jaws and sharp teeth evoke a sense of awe and power. Soft lighting enhances its imposing presence.

This Dinosaur Bone Still Contained Blood Vessels—Here’s What That Means

In the world of paleontology, a groundbreaking discovery has challenged long-held beliefs about fossil preservation. Scientists examining a Tyrannosaurus rex femur unearthed in Montana found something extraordinary: soft tissue that had somehow survived for over 65 million years. This remarkable find included blood vessels, cells, and protein fragments that should have decomposed millennia ago. The ...

Museo de Antropología y Ciencias Naturales, Concordia, Argentina

6 Paleontologists Whose Work Inspired Movies, Museums, and Public Fascination

The field of paleontology has given us remarkable insights into Earth’s distant past, revealing creatures and ecosystems long vanished from our planet. Beyond academic circles, certain paleontologists have captured public imagination through their groundbreaking discoveries, compelling personalities, and ability to translate complex science into accessible knowledge. These fossil hunters have inspired blockbuster films, established world-renowned ...

Fossil of a small dinosaur with a long tail and bird-like legs, embedded in a beige rock surface. The fossil's pose and detail convey an ancient and delicate appearance.

What to Do If You Find a Fossil in Your Backyard

Discovering a fossil in your backyard can be an exciting and unexpected event that connects you directly with Earth’s ancient past. Whether you stumble upon what appears to be a petrified bone, a shell imprint, or something else entirely, you’ve potentially made a connection with creatures that lived millions of years ago. The discovery might ...

Jurassic Land Museum

From Fossil to Exhibit: The Journey of a Dinosaur Skeleton to the Museum

The magnificent dinosaur skeletons that tower over museum visitors represent the culmination of a remarkable scientific process spanning multiple disciplines and often years of painstaking work. These impressive displays begin as fragments buried in rock, sometimes for over 65 million years, before undergoing a complex transformation through discovery, excavation, preparation, research, and finally, exhibition. The ...