Articles for category: Fossils & Fieldwork

dinosaurs skeleton inside museum

Parisian Fossils: What to Expect at the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle

Deep beneath the bustling streets of Paris lies a treasure trove that puts the city’s famous diamonds to shame. The Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle houses one of the world’s most spectacular fossil collections, where ancient creatures frozen in time await your discovery. From towering dinosaur skeletons that dominated prehistoric landscapes to delicate insect specimens preserved ...

Crossotheca

Cambridge Fossils and Scientific Firsts at the Sedgwick Museum

Hidden within the Gothic Revival architecture of Cambridge University lies a treasure trove that has quietly revolutionized our understanding of life on Earth. The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences stands as one of the world’s oldest geological museums, housing over two million specimens that span 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history. This isn’t just another ...

Close-up of a fossilized dinosaur skull on display against a green backdrop. The texture is rough and brown, evoking an ancient, mysterious tone.

The Fossil That Was Reassembled Backwards (Yes, Really)

In the fascinating world of paleontology, even the most skilled scientists occasionally make extraordinary mistakes. One of the most remarkable examples in scientific history involves fossils that were meticulously reconstructed—but completely backwards. These embarrassing yet enlightening errors remind us that science is a process of continuous learning and correction. The story of backwards-assembled fossils offers ...

dinosaur skelleton

From Fossils to Theories: How Dinosaurs Shaped Modern Science

The discovery of dinosaur fossils has transformed our understanding of Earth’s history and revolutionized scientific inquiry across multiple disciplines. These ancient reptiles, which dominated terrestrial ecosystems for over 160 million years, have become far more than just museum attractions or subjects of fascination for children. Dinosaur research has pioneered new methodologies, challenged long-held assumptions about ...

Fossil of a small dinosaur with delicate bones and extended limbs embedded in a light stone matrix. It's intricate and well-preserved, showcasing detailed structure.

When Fossils Are Found Out of Place in Time or Geography

Paleontology, the study of ancient life through fossils, relies heavily on the principles of stratigraphy and geological context to determine the age and original location of specimens. However, occasionally scientists discover fossils that appear to be “out of place” – either geographically distant from where they would be expected or seemingly from the wrong period. ...

A dinosaur skull fossil displayed on a stand, featuring large eye sockets and sharp teeth. The background shows green foliage, creating a prehistoric ambiance.

How Fossils Get Crushed, Warped, and Eroded Before We Ever Find Them

The remarkable fossils displayed in museums represent only a tiny fraction of once-living organisms—and they’ve endured an incredible journey through time. For every pristine dinosaur skeleton or perfectly preserved insect in amber, countless potential fossils have been crushed, warped, dissolved, or completely destroyed. The path from a living organism to a museum-quality fossil involves a ...