Articles for category: Fossils & Fieldwork

Lovely Aquino

Fossils & Fieldwork
Elmer Riggs, the first curator of Fossil Mammals wearing cap and field laboratory assistant Harold W. Menke preparing Grand Junction Colorado fossils including the Brachiosaurus altithorax femur still in plaster jacket at left, Paleontology Laboratory, Field Columbian Museum, Geology specimen, December 1, 1894.

5 Lab Technicians and Fossil Preparators Who Deserve More Credit

While paleontologists and researchers often receive the spotlight for groundbreaking fossil discoveries, the meticulous work of laboratory technicians and fossil preparators remains largely in the shadows. These skilled professionals transform raw field specimens into scientifically valuable artifacts through painstaking preparation, preservation, and documentation. Their expertise combines artistry with scientific precision, yet their names rarely appear ...

Lovely Aquino

Fossils & Fieldwork
Waco mammoth site

How Erosion and Climate Change Are Exposing Hidden Fossils

The Earth constantly reveals its secrets as natural processes reshape its surface. In recent years, the twin forces of erosion and climate change have been working in tandem to uncover paleontological treasures that have remained hidden for millions of years. While these processes threaten countless ecosystems and human settlements, they paradoxically offer scientists unprecedented access ...

Awais Khan

Fossils & Fieldwork
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 ...

Sameen David

Fossils & FieldworkPrehistoric Humans
Tiny Bump on 7 Million-Year-Old Fossil Suggests Ancient Ape Walked Upright - and Might Even Be a Human Ancestor

Tiny Bump on 7 Million-Year-Old Fossil Suggests Ancient Ape Walked Upright – and Might Even Be a Human Ancestor

Picture an ancient ape clambering through trees in Chad seven million years ago, looking much like a chimpanzee with a small brain to match. Now imagine that same creature stepping down onto the ground and confidently walking upright on two legs. It’s hard to believe, right? Yet a barely visible bump on a fossilized thigh ...

Sameen David

Fossils & FieldworkPrehistoric Humans
Fossil Studies Say Homo erectus Wasn't the First Human Species to Leave Africa 1.8 Million Years Ago

Fossil Studies Say Homo erectus Wasn’t the First Human Species to Leave Africa 1.8 Million Years Ago

For decades, you might have learned in school that Homo erectus proudly claimed the title of first human traveler beyond African shores. That neat narrative has been the bedrock of paleoanthropology classes worldwide. Everyone accepted it, taught it, repeated it. Yet a remarkable discovery in a small medieval village nestled in the Georgian hills is ...

Awais Khan

Fossils & Fieldwork
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 ...

Awais Khan

Fossils & Fieldwork
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 ...

Awais Khan

Fossils & Fieldwork
"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 ...