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The Bone Wars Explained
- The Bone Wars were a fierce, two-decade scientific feud marked by ruthless competition and sabotage between two leading paleontologists.
- Despite the name, the "Bone Wars" involved fossils which are not bones, reflecting the era's terminology rather than scientific accuracy.
Fossils in History and Religion
- Humans recognized fossils long before understanding what they were, linking them to myths like griffins or the biblical flood.
- Extinction as a scientific concept faced religious resistance, only gaining acceptance through the work of Georges Cuvier in the late 18th century.
Mary Anning's Childhood Discoveries
- Mary Anning made groundbreaking fossil discoveries as a child, including the first recognized complete plesiosaur skeleton.
- Her early contributions significantly shaped paleontology, although she later distanced herself from dinosaur fandom.