John Reeves, an Alaskan gold miner and Ice Age animal remains discoverer, shares his extraordinary finds beneath the permafrost. He discusses unearthing mammoth bones in the East River, sparking excitement about ancient mysteries and climate change. John highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding fossil collection and the challenges of paleontology today. He also humorously reflects on the quirky relationship between humans and woolly mammoths, emphasizing the artistry involved in creating unique items from ancient materials.
The speaker questions the common belief of ancient humans hunting mammoths, suggesting coexistence and possible domestication.
Museums and academic institutions have neglected researching and reporting on the bones discovered in the East River.
The podcast delves into theories of the multiverse, interdimensional travel, and the implications of emerging technologies.
The importance of curiosity, independent thought, and overcoming challenges for human progress is highlighted.
The podcast discusses the significance of the bone yard's bones and the need to retrieve them for archaeological and scientific discoveries.
Deep dives
The mysteries of the East River bones
Multiple mammoth and bison bones have been found in the East River, confirming the speaker's previous claims. The bones were dumped by a museum, and despite efforts to retrieve them, the museum denies any involvement. Other individuals have also discovered bones in the area, and research vessels and spotlights have been used to explore the river. The speaker questions the validity of the common belief that ancient humans hunted and killed mammoths, suggesting a coexistence and possible domestication of mammoths instead.
Mismanagement and lack of research
The speaker criticizes museums and academic institutions for their lack of research on the bones discovered in the East River. Despite the potential for valuable insights into the extinction event and human history, the museums have not made any significant efforts to study or report on the bones. The speaker suggests a political solution by involving the state of Alaska and congressional support to retrieve the bones from the museums. The speaker also expresses concerns about the misuse and abuse of technology, including the potential cloning of humans.
The vastness of the universe and human existence
The podcast delves into the mind-boggling scale of the universe and the mysteries surrounding it. Discussions touch upon theories of the multiverse, interdimensional travel, and the existence of intelligent life in other galaxies or dimensions. The conversation contemplates the purpose and nature of human existence in the grand scheme of the universe and raises questions about the potential manipulation of humanity by unknown forces. The speaker also ponders the implications of emerging technologies such as cloning and artificial intelligence.
The human capacity for curiosity and discovery
The podcast emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. The speaker highlights the value of independent thought and exploration, demonstrated through the success of the podcast itself. The conversation also explores the role of struggle and adversity in human progress, suggesting that overcoming challenges and striving for improvement drive innovation and societal development. The speaker contemplates the unpredictable nature of human existence and the potential for both positive and negative outcomes in the future.
Main Idea 1
The podcast discusses the significance of the bones discovered in the bone yard and the need to retrieve all the bones, which were largely taken by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
Main Idea 2
The speaker expresses frustration with the lack of interest or collaboration from external parties, despite the potential for significant archaeological and scientific discoveries in the bone yard.
Main Idea 3
The podcast explores the mysterious timeline of the mass extinction event 30,000 to 40,000 years ago and raises questions about human civilization and advanced technology during that time.
Main Idea 4
The speaker reflects on the sheer abundance of bones in the bone yard and the need to further study and understand the extinct megafauna and the events that led to their extinction.
The Importance of Recovering Stolen Artifacts
The podcast episode explores the issue of stolen artifacts and the need to repatriate them. The speaker highlights examples of stolen artifacts, including pickled babies and items stolen from Cambodia. They criticize institutions like the AM&H and Smithsonian for holding stolen artifacts and justifying it as preserving a historical record. The speaker emphasizes the importance of returning stolen artifacts and doing the right thing, which includes studying the bones from Fairbanks and solving historical questions.
Challenges in Discovering the Truth
The podcast discusses the challenges faced in uncovering the truth regarding stolen artifacts and unsolved mysteries. The speaker mentions the resistance from organizations like the AM&H and the intimidation faced by younger scientists who want to speak up. They also mention the issue of artifacts being held privately by wealthy individuals and the difficulty in uncovering the truth due to fear of losing jobs. The speaker calls for collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to understanding the history of animals and humans.
John Reeves is an Alaskan gold miner who first came to public prominence on the 2012 National Geographic docu-series "Goldfathers." More recently, his ongoing search for gold uncovered the remains of thousands of Ice Age animals lying beneath the permafrost on his property. The discovery is featured in the 2019 documentary "Boneyard Alaska" and popular Instagram account @theboneyardalaska. www.fairbanksgoldco.com
