Comments on: Doctoral Pupil & Darren Discover Dino

By: Mnynames

Mnynames — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:46:57 +0000

There was another museum that recently discovered that they had a complete Barosaurus skeleton in their collection, but didn’t know it because the bones were all scattered around the basement in different drawers and cabinets and such. Like Xenoposeidon, it was a Sauropod too. If you can lose an entire Sauropod in an itemized museum collection, what other animals can be overlooked?

I was the sort of 5-year-old kid that said “paleontologist” when he was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. Since I never grew up, I suppose it’s nice to know I might still be able to enter the field as a volunteer. As much as I’d love to do the Roy Chapman Andrews thing, rooting around in dusty old basements is probably more my thing.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:12:01 +0000

DARHOP- It is an excellent idea. I did what Dogu4 mentioned awhile back in my university days and I can personally say it is worth it. If you appreciate these sorts of treasures and relics, and it sounds to me like you do, then I guarantee you will have an educational, fascinating time. You are absolutely correct that there is no better way to learn about these things than actually seeing them right there in front of you. You can learn an amazing amount about science and natural history by working together with these folks and seeing things with your own eyes. If getting out in the field is more your thing, you can do that too in some national parks, again as Dogu4 mentioned. A great way to do your part, see nature, and learn more about the world we live in. I highly recommend it to you if you have the time and the means.

By: DARHOP

DARHOP — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:38:59 +0000

Hmmmm. dogu4 that is really not a bad idea at all. I have never thought about volunteering at some place like the museum. A person can really get some hands on experience with the exhibits they have on display. And also exhibits that are barrowed here and there. Just documenting all the stuff being brought in would be kool. And the people you get a chance to meet is just awesome. People like Jeff Meldrum, Peter Byrne and Bob Pyle to name a couple. And if your lucky, maybe even a guy like Loren if he is town. I think I myself would have a hell of time in the bush. Doing something like Bob Pyle did in his book Where BigFoot Walks, would be one awesome experience. I really do want to spend some time in the forest of Washington. A Cabela’s store near me is having a Grand Opening today. I think I will be paying that store a visit very soon. I already told the little woman to prepare herself.

By: red_pill_junkie

red_pill_junkie — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:15:15 +0000

‘I’ve spent the last five years doing nothing but looking at sauropod vertebrae and I immediately realised it was something strange.’

Wooow 8-(

I’m gonna start a new entry on Wikipedia for Dedication, and I’m gonna put this guy’s photo in it!

For all we know, the fossil evidence for Bigfoot is not only out there, but it has already been found and is collecting dust in a collection somewhere.

mistery_man, I was thinking exactly the same thing…

By: Sordes

Sordes — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:41:19 +0000

Well, I was already very interested in dinosaurs and related stuff long before Jurassic Park…

By: cryptidsrus

cryptidsrus — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:17:00 +0000

I saw Taylor on Headline News yesterday.

Apparently his interest in Dinosaurs began with him watching Jurassic Park.

I know a lot of people who began like that.

By: dogu4

dogu4 — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:57:24 +0000

If you live near any museums with collections worth examining one might consider offering one’s voluntary service. Most of these educational/scientific institutions (or National Parks, for that matter) rely to a surprising degree on intelligent, motivated, folks who wish to apply their energies in a voluntary capacity in exchange for proximity to the treasures only they can appreciate. There is no better behind the scenes tour than when you lead one yourself as a docent.

By: Sordes

Sordes — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:50:53 +0000

This does not only happen with fossils, a lot of animals were also just discovered in old museum archives, for example the giant and most probably extinct gecko Hoplodactylus delcourti. But it is the same thing with archeological museums, there are surely still many unrecogniced treasures in old archives.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:23:26 +0000

This is one of the funny things about fossils. Sometimes they are dug up and packed away in a museum somewhere without anyone knowing what a remarkable find they are. Important fossils can slip through sometimes, they are just simply not recognized for what they are, and this is not the first time a new species has been identified from fossils already collected and stored away. For all we know, the fossil evidence for Bigfoot is not only out there, but it has already been found and is collecting dust in a collection somewhere. Fascinating article.