Articles for author: Awais Khan

FossiLab at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The Secret Life of Fossil Prep Labs: How Mistakes Are Avoided

From dusty field discoveries to museum pedestals, fossils undergo a remarkable transformation journey—one largely hidden from public view. Behind the scenes, fossil preparation laboratories operate as the critical bridge between excavation and exhibition. These specialized workspaces combine elements of science, art, and craftsmanship, where technicians meticulously free ancient remains from their rocky prisons. This delicate ...

"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 ...

Fossil Dinosaur Eggs

Are Fossilized Eggs Proof of Complex Dinosaur Parenting?

For centuries, paleontologists have unearthed the remains of dinosaurs, piecing together their physical characteristics and behaviors from bones, tracks, and other preserved evidence. Among these fascinating discoveries, fossilized dinosaur eggs stand out as particularly significant finds, potentially offering rare glimpses into the reproductive behaviors and parenting strategies of these ancient creatures. As scientists continue to ...

Massive mosasaurs and plesiosaurs needed huge amounts of food to survive.

Mosasaurus missouriensis: The Sea Monster From the Western Interior Seaway

The ancient oceans that once covered North America held fearsome predators that would rival even the most terrifying creatures of modern imagination. Among these marine reptiles, Mosasaurus missouriensis stands as one of the most formidable hunters of the Late Cretaceous period. This massive predator patrolled the waters of the Western Interior Seaway, a vast marine ...

T-rex Sue

Why Some Scientists Refuse to Study Privately Owned Fossils

Paleontology sits at a fascinating intersection of science, commerce, and heritage preservation. While dinosaur bones and ancient remains captivate public imagination and fetch millions at auctions, a significant portion of the scientific community deliberately avoids researching privately held specimens. This principled stance, though sometimes controversial, stems from deep ethical, scientific, and practical concerns. This article ...

A colorful dinosaur statue with an open mouth stands amidst lush greenery and tall trees in a forest setting, creating a playful, lively scene.

Could Dinosaurs Have Used Venom to Hunt?

For generations, our understanding of dinosaurs has been continuously evolving. From slow, lumbering beasts to agile predators, our perception of these ancient creatures transforms with each new scientific discovery. Among the most intriguing recent questions in paleontology is whether some dinosaurs might have utilized venom as a hunting strategy. This fascinating possibility challenges our conventional ...

10 Things That Would Happen If You Lived in the Prehistoric Era

10 Things That Would Happen If You Lived in the Prehistoric Era

Imagine stepping back through time, far beyond the comfort of modern civilization, into an era when survival required cunning, cooperation, and an intimate relationship with the natural world. Living in the prehistoric era wouldn’t have been the romanticized adventure that movies often portray. Instead, it would have been a raw, challenging existence that demanded every ...

Illustration of a gray and blue dinosaur with a slender body, long tail, and three-toed front limbs. It has a textured pattern and alert stance.

Eoraptor: The Small, Swift Carnivore That May Have Started It All

In the vast timeline of Earth’s history, few creatures hold as pivotal a position as Eoraptor. This diminutive dinosaur, whose name means “dawn thief,” lived approximately 231 million years ago during the Late Triassic period, making it one of the earliest known dinosaurs. Discovered in Argentina’s Ischigualasto Formation in 1991, Eoraptor has forced paleontologists to ...

BLM Paleontologist Dr Greg McDonald

How Citizen Scientists and Hikers Are Helping Paleontologists Find Fossils

In the rugged outcrops of ancient rock formations and along weathered hiking trails, an unexpected partnership has been flourishing. Professional paleontologists, once working primarily within academic institutions, are now joining forces with everyday nature enthusiasts to uncover the secrets of Earth’s distant past. This collaboration between scientists and citizen volunteers represents a remarkable shift in ...