Articles for category: Prehistoric Theories

Illustration of Daspletosaurus, a large theropod dinosaur, depicted in a dynamic pose with detailed skin texture and sharp teeth.

Did Dinosaurs Evolve Twice? A Radical New Theory Emerges

The world of paleontology has recently been rocked by a controversial hypothesis that challenges our fundamental understanding of dinosaur evolution. This radical theory suggests that what we know as dinosaurs may not represent a single, continuous evolutionary lineage but might have evolved twice through convergent evolution. The implications of this hypothesis, if proven, would rewrite ...

In just 10 million years after the extinction event, mammals evolved into diverse forms, including early primates, hoofed mammals, and the ancestors of whales.

Could Dinosaurs Have Evolved Into Whales If They’d Survived?

The evolutionary journey of whales—from land-dwelling mammals to ocean giants—stands as one of the most remarkable transformations in natural history. Today’s cetaceans evolved from terrestrial ancestors over millions of years, developing specialized adaptations for aquatic life. But what if the asteroid impact that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago had never happened? Could ...

A reddish-brown crayfish fossil, facing right, on tan stone

Why Some Fossil Sites Are Called “Lagerstätten” and Why They Matter

Fossil-rich sites are scattered across the globe, but only a select few earn the coveted designation of “Lagerstätten.” These extraordinary fossil deposits offer scientists a rare glimpse into ancient ecosystems with exceptional preservation and completeness that standard fossil sites simply cannot match. The term “Lagerstätten” (singular: Lagerstätte) comes from German, combining “Lager” (storage place) and ...

Eruptions triggered warming, acidification, and toxic oceans.

Did Volcanic Eruptions Help Wipe Out the Dinosaurs?

The extinction of dinosaurs approximately 66 million years ago marks one of the most dramatic turning points in Earth’s biological history. While a massive asteroid impact has been widely accepted as the primary cause of this mass extinction event, recent scientific research has increasingly highlighted the potential role of volcanic activity in this global catastrophe. ...

ground covered with snow

Could Global Cooling Have Killed the Dinosaurs First?

The extinction of dinosaurs has captivated scientific minds for generations, with the asteroid impact theory dominating discussions for decades. However, recent research suggests a more nuanced picture of the dinosaurs’ final days. Evidence indicates that significant climate changes, particularly global cooling, may have already been stressing dinosaur populations before the Chicxulub asteroid delivered the final ...

A rocky asteroid burns with fiery debris trailing behind, set against a glowing sun and a dark star-filled space. The scene conveys chaos and intensity.

The Two Asteroid Theory: Was Earth Hit Twice in the Age of Dinosaurs?

The extinction of dinosaurs represents one of Earth’s most profound ecological transitions, transforming the planet’s biodiversity and paving the way for mammalian dominance. For decades, scientists attributed this mass extinction to a single asteroid impact at Chicxulub, Mexico. However, emerging research suggests a more complex scenario – the possibility that Earth experienced not one, but ...

SkySat satellite image of Deccan Traps, Maharashtra

Was the End-Cretaceous Extinction Slower Than We Think?

The end-Cretaceous mass extinction, which wiped out approximately 75% of all species on Earth, including the non-avian dinosaurs, has long been regarded as a sudden, catastrophic event. Conventional wisdom holds that the impact of a massive asteroid in what is now Chicxulub, Mexico, delivered a swift deathblow to Earth’s ecosystems around 66 million years ago. ...

crocodile on body of water during daytime

Crocodiles vs. Dinosaurs: How One Lineage Survived and the Other Didn’t

Approximately 66 million years ago, a catastrophic event reshaped Earth’s biological landscape forever. The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event wiped out approximately 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs that had dominated terrestrial ecosystems for over 160 million years. Yet remarkably, crocodilians—the group including crocodiles and alligators—survived this mass extinction and continue to thrive today, virtually ...

Deccan Traps volcano

How the End of the Dinosaurs Opened the Door for Modern Mammals

The catastrophic event that ended the reign of dinosaurs approximately 66 million years ago represents one of the most pivotal turning points in Earth’s biological history. When a massive asteroid struck the Yucatán Peninsula, it triggered a chain of environmental disasters that wiped out approximately 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs that had ...

A bright lightning bolt illuminates a dark, cloudy sky above a silhouetted hilltop. The scene conveys intensity and the power of nature.

Could Lightning Strikes Have Sparked Prehistoric Wildfires?

Lightning has been illuminating Earth’s skies for billions of years, long before humans evolved to witness its power. When we consider prehistoric landscapes and ecosystems, we often overlook the profound impact that natural phenomena like lightning may have had on shaping our planet’s development. One fascinating question emerges: could lightning strikes have been responsible for ...