The Ancients
Jurassic America
Mar 27, 2025
Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Caroline Winterer, an expert in the history of geology and paleontology, who authored a book on America's deep time revolution. They explore 19th-century fossil discoveries and how they reshaped perceptions of the continent's age. The conversation touches on walking on 4 billion-year-old rocks, the allure of iconic dinosaurs like the T-Rex, and the political implications of these finds in establishing American cultural identity. Winterer highlights the role of fossil narratives in shaping historical context and national pride.
43:13
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Quick takeaways
- The discovery of ancient fossils in North America challenged prior perceptions of the continent as a 'New World,' revealing its immense geological history.
- The interplay between fossil discoveries and industrialization fostered scientific competition, significantly shaping America's cultural identity and attitudes towards land ownership and indigenous peoples.
Deep dives
Understanding Deep Time
Deep time refers to the concept that the Earth is billions of years old, contrasting sharply with the earlier belief that it was merely 6,000 years old. This shift in understanding occurred over a century, notably between 1800 and 1900, as both Americans and Europeans began to grasp the Earth's vast age and the existence of ancient life. Key to this paradigm shift was the discovery of fossils, particularly those revealing life forms like trilobites, which are now recognized as the earliest known creatures on Earth. This new perspective expanded the narrative of Earth's history, allowing for a richer appreciation of natural processes and the development of life over unimaginable timescales.
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