Blog

Dinosaur with spotted skin defends nest from predatory mammal in a lush prehistoric forest. The scene is tense, showcasing survival instincts.

Aquilops: The Tiny Ceratopsian from Montana With a Big Scientific Impact

In the vast landscape of prehistoric creatures, sometimes the smallest discoveries yield the most significant scientific insights. Such is the case with Aquilops americanus, a diminutive ceratopsian dinosaur that has dramatically altered our understanding of horned dinosaur evolution in North America. Discovered in 105-million-year-old rocks in Montana, this turkey-sized herbivore represents the earliest known member ...

Ancient American Art Reveals Deep Connections to the Animal World

Ancient American Art Reveals Deep Connections to the Animal World

If you’ve ever wondered why animals show up everywhere in ancient American artwork, from towering totem poles to intricate pottery designs, you’re not alone. There’s something mesmerizing about the way these civilizations seemed to understand the natural world on a level we struggle to grasp today. The relationship between ancient Americans and the creatures around ...

A reconstruction of Parvicursor sitting on its nest.

From Compsognathus to Microraptor: The Little Dinosaurs That Changed Big Theories

The smallest members of the dinosaur family tree have often yielded the biggest scientific breakthroughs. From the chicken-sized Compsognathus to the gliding Microraptor, these diminutive dinosaurs have repeatedly forced paleontologists to reconsider established theories about dinosaur evolution, behavior, and the origins of birds. While their larger cousins like Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachiosaurus tend to capture ...

Global Witnesses to Ancient Climate

Petrified Forests: How Stone Trees Teach Us About Ancient Climates

Imagine walking through a forest where towering tree trunks sparkle like jewels, their surfaces gleaming with crystal formations. But here’s the mind-bending part: these aren’t living trees at all. They’re ancient forests turned to stone, preserving secrets from millions of years ago when the Earth looked completely different than it does today. These petrified forests ...