Dinosaur Discovery
Establishing what dinosaurs looked like--and how and when they lived--requires the concerted efforts of paleontologists, archaeologists, biologists and various other scientists and adventurers. Here's a look at how dinosaurs are named, how dinosaur fossils are located, and how a few major scientists shaped the modern perception of dinosaurs.
The Top 10 Dinosaurs of the Decade
The years spanning 2000 to 2010 yielded some important dinosaur discoveries, as well as a few surprises from the world of pterosaurs, mammals and prehistoric crocodiles. Here's a list of the top 10 fossil discoveries of the last decade.
The years spanning 2000 to 2010 yielded some important dinosaur discoveries, as well as a few surprises from the world of pterosaurs, mammals and prehistoric crocodiles. Here's a list of the top 10 fossil discoveries of the last decade.
New Dinosaur Discoveries
New dinosaurs are being discovered and named by paleontologists virtually week. Here are the latest developments pertaining to new dinosaurs.
New dinosaurs are being discovered and named by paleontologists virtually week. Here are the latest developments pertaining to new dinosaurs.
The 10 Most Influential Paleontologists and Dinosaur Hunters
If it weren't for the efforts of thousands of paleontologists, evolutionary biologists and geologists, we wouldn't know nearly as much about dinosaurs as we do today. Here's a list of 10 dinosaur hunters who have contributed more to our knowledge of these ancient reptiles than anyone else in the field.
If it weren't for the efforts of thousands of paleontologists, evolutionary biologists and geologists, we wouldn't know nearly as much about dinosaurs as we do today. Here's a list of 10 dinosaur hunters who have contributed more to our knowledge of these ancient reptiles than anyone else in the field.
Official State Fossils
Most states in the U.S. have designated an official state fossil--including dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, and even the occasional coral or squid. Here's a list of official fossils by state, with links to more information.
Most states in the U.S. have designated an official state fossil--including dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, and even the occasional coral or squid. Here's a list of official fossils by state, with links to more information.
10 Fossil Discoveries that Changed Dinosaur History
Not every fossil dug up on a distant lakebed or arid mountain plain has had an equally profound effect on the course of dinosaur science. Here are 10 notable discoveries that changed, sharpened, or completely altered the views of working scientists (and the general public) about these long-extinct reptiles.
Not every fossil dug up on a distant lakebed or arid mountain plain has had an equally profound effect on the course of dinosaur science. Here are 10 notable discoveries that changed, sharpened, or completely altered the views of working scientists (and the general public) about these long-extinct reptiles.
The 10 Strangest Dinosaur Names
After long, weary months collecting bones out in the field, cleaning them in the lab with tiny toothpicks, and laboriously piecing them together for display or further study, paleontologists can be forgiven for occasionally bestowing strange names on the objects of their research. Here are the 10 dinosaurs with the weirdest, funniest, and (in one or two cases) most inappropriate names.
After long, weary months collecting bones out in the field, cleaning them in the lab with tiny toothpicks, and laboriously piecing them together for display or further study, paleontologists can be forgiven for occasionally bestowing strange names on the objects of their research. Here are the 10 dinosaurs with the weirdest, funniest, and (in one or two cases) most inappropriate names.
Walking (Literally) with Dinosaurs: Dinosaur Footprints and Trackmarks
A dinosaur could only fossilize once--but it could leave behind millions of footprints in its lifetime. Here's how fossil footprints are investigated by paleontologists, and what they can tell us about how dinosaurs lived (and died).
A dinosaur could only fossilize once--but it could leave behind millions of footprints in its lifetime. Here's how fossil footprints are investigated by paleontologists, and what they can tell us about how dinosaurs lived (and died).
Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries
A recent exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History featured new fossil discoveries, many of them from China. Here are some pictures from that popular show.
A recent exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History featured new fossil discoveries, many of them from China. Here are some pictures from that popular show.
The 10 Biggest Dinosaur Blunders
When you make a living studying 100-million-year-old dinosaurs, you're bound to get a few facts muddled now and then. Here's a list of the 10 most notable mistakes (and misunderstandings, and out-and-out frauds) in the history of paleontology, ranging from the early days of the discipline in the early 19th century to our supposedly more knowledgeable modern age.
When you make a living studying 100-million-year-old dinosaurs, you're bound to get a few facts muddled now and then. Here's a list of the 10 most notable mistakes (and misunderstandings, and out-and-out frauds) in the history of paleontology, ranging from the early days of the discipline in the early 19th century to our supposedly more knowledgeable modern age.
How Dinosaurs Are Named
Why do some dinosaurs have such goofy names, while others are christened after people or places? Here's a brief explanation.
Why do some dinosaurs have such goofy names, while others are christened after people or places? Here's a brief explanation.
The Bone Wars
In the late 19th century, Othniel C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope dug up thousands of dinosaur bones in the American west. They also hurled countless insults, accusations and libels at each other, a lifelong rivalry that has been immortalized as the "Bone Wars." Here's how this famous feud started, how it ended, and how it continues to impact American paleontology to the present day.
In the late 19th century, Othniel C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope dug up thousands of dinosaur bones in the American west. They also hurled countless insults, accusations and libels at each other, a lifelong rivalry that has been immortalized as the "Bone Wars." Here's how this famous feud started, how it ended, and how it continues to impact American paleontology to the present day.
Make the Most of Your Fossil Discovery
Every now and then, ordinary people unearth dinosaur fossils in the most unlikely places--a rock outcropping, a river bed, even their own backyards. Here's what to do if you stumble across some very old bones.
Every now and then, ordinary people unearth dinosaur fossils in the most unlikely places--a rock outcropping, a river bed, even their own backyards. Here's what to do if you stumble across some very old bones.
How to Get Started in Paleontology
Want to know what it takes to be a paleontologist? Here's how to start your fossil-hunting career.
Want to know what it takes to be a paleontologist? Here's how to start your fossil-hunting career.
Paleontology Clubs
A regional list of paleontology clubs open to enthusiasts.
A regional list of paleontology clubs open to enthusiasts.
The Dino Death Pit
An ancient mud trap containing multiple dinosaurs sheds new light on the dino lifestyle.
An ancient mud trap containing multiple dinosaurs sheds new light on the dino lifestyle.