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Why We Dig Up the Past
From: University of Chicago
| By:
McGuire GibsonSusan KidwellPaul Sereno |
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION |
Many of the mysteries of the past cannot be decoded by theorizing or lab work alone; they must be unearthed. At a panel organized for the University of Chicago's reunion weekend, leading scholars discuss what motivates them to dig for answers in deserts, lake beds, and foothills around the world. Susan Kidwell of the department of geophysical sciences explains why the idea of deep time--like the astronomer's concept of deep space--is crucial to understanding the world and our place in it. Paleontologist Paul Sereno discusses what drives him from Patagonia to the Sahara in search of dinosaur bones. And McGuire Gibson, professor of Mesopotamian archaeology, details the milestones in the search for the origins of civilization. |
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Geologist Susan Kidwell discusses the "gosh wow" aspects of her field, the importance of understanding deep time, and why "weeds" tend to survive periods of mass extinction. (16:32 min) |
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Paleontolgist Paul Sereno screens a video describing one of his latest finds and discusses what living crocodiles can teach us about their ancestors. (8:29 min) |
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Sereno describes dinosaur diversity and explains how the study of dinosaur evolution provides answers to the question, "How did evolution build birds?" (13:25 min) |
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Archaeologist McGuire Gibson describes advances in archaeology pioneered by the Oriental Institute and discusses how environmental science aids the search for the world's oldest civilizations. (11:59 min) |
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Sereno and Kidwell answer questions about wrestling crocodiles, envisioning dinosaurs, and guiding Congress on species preservation. (11:27 min) |
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Gibson and Sereno respond to questions about history and prehistory, cool finds, and feathered dinosaurs. (7:40 min) |
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