
over the past two years we’ve tried very hard to bring in new techniques into
hard to bring in new techniques into
hard to bring in new techniques into paleontology so it’s not so much a bunch
paleontology so it’s not so much a bunch
paleontology so it’s not so much a bunch of folks at the bottom of the hull of
of folks at the bottom of the hull of
of folks at the bottom of the hull of digging for bones anymore that’s just
digging for bones anymore that’s just
digging for bones anymore that’s just part of the story we want to take it to
part of the story we want to take it to
part of the story we want to take it to the next stage the next level in terms
the next stage the next level in terms
the next stage the next level in terms of understanding of these wonderful
of understanding of these wonderful
of understanding of these wonderful fossils that we pull from the ground the
fossils that we pull from the ground the
fossils that we pull from the ground the key thing is that these fossils can tell
key thing is that these fossils can tell
key thing is that these fossils can tell us so much about these extinct organisms
us so much about these extinct organisms
us so much about these extinct organisms and by studying the bones and studying
and by studying the bones and studying
and by studying the bones and studying the associated sediments The Associated
the associated sediments The Associated
the associated sediments The Associated evidence treating I suppose the dig site
evidence treating I suppose the dig site
evidence treating I suppose the dig site like scene of a crime we were able to
like scene of a crime we were able to
like scene of a crime we were able to piece together these shreds of evidence
piece together these shreds of evidence
piece together these shreds of evidence to a much more coherent story of what
to a much more coherent story of what
to a much more coherent story of what life was like in the prehistoric past
life was like in the prehistoric past
life was like in the prehistoric past the planet so it’s a very exciting time
the planet so it’s a very exciting time
the planet so it’s a very exciting time to be a very intelligent for the simple
to be a very intelligent for the simple
to be a very intelligent for the simple reason we’re looking into areas of
reason we’re looking into areas of
reason we’re looking into areas of science now which we felt the doors were
science now which we felt the doors were
science now which we felt the doors were previously closed firmly shut to our own
previously closed firmly shut to our own
previously closed firmly shut to our own particular field of science it’s
particular field of science it’s
particular field of science it’s becoming very apparent but this is not
becoming very apparent but this is not
becoming very apparent but this is not the case I’m going to take you on a
the case I’m going to take you on a
the case I’m going to take you on a journey this evening one which has been
journey this evening one which has been
journey this evening one which has been extremely painful for me at some point
extremely painful for me at some point
extremely painful for me at some point AIII apologised people are actually
AIII apologised people are actually
AIII apologised people are actually filming this this evening I’ve already
filming this this evening I’ve already
filming this this evening I’ve already warned them I’m a nightmare to film
warned them I’m a nightmare to film
warned them I’m a nightmare to film because I’m I sort of run around the
because I’m I sort of run around the
because I’m I sort of run around the place a bit they were tempted to chain
place a bit they were tempted to chain
place a bit they were tempted to chain me to the lectern they have not
me to the lectern they have not
me to the lectern they have not succeeded now it is a story and it’s a
succeeded now it is a story and it’s a
succeeded now it is a story and it’s a wonderful story
wonderful story
wonderful story unlike most stories it does have a
unlike most stories it does have a
unlike most stories it does have a beginning a middle we haven’t quite
beginning a middle we haven’t quite
beginning a middle we haven’t quite reached the end though what I’m going to
reached the end though what I’m going to
reached the end though what I’m going to present to you this evening is some of
present to you this evening is some of
present to you this evening is some of the science which was actually the
the science which was actually the
the science which was actually the methodology should I say of science
methodology should I say of science
methodology should I say of science which was shown in the documentary it
which was shown in the documentary it
which was shown in the documentary it was quite clear during the documentary
was quite clear during the documentary
was quite clear during the documentary that we were deeply frustrated that much
that we were deeply frustrated that much
that we were deeply frustrated that much of the science that we were working
of the science that we were working
of the science that we were working towards was tantalizing at our
towards was tantalizing at our
towards was tantalizing at our fingertips and we hadn’t quite lit the
fingertips and we hadn’t quite lit the
fingertips and we hadn’t quite lit the victory cigar however the science has
victory cigar however the science has
victory cigar however the science has continued over the last few months
continued over the last few months
continued over the last few months and I think it will continue probably
and I think it will continue probably
and I think it will continue probably until I’m a very old man because this is
until I’m a very old man because this is
until I’m a very old man because this is a fossil that’s worthy of such study
a fossil that’s worthy of such study
a fossil that’s worthy of such study because it is a remarkable mine of
because it is a remarkable mine of
because it is a remarkable mine of information and that is what I’m going
information and that is what I’m going
information and that is what I’m going to take you on this journey this evening
to take you on this journey this evening
to take you on this journey this evening however painful it might be it’s like
however painful it might be it’s like
however painful it might be it’s like trauma counseling for me and you’re
trauma counseling for me and you’re
trauma counseling for me and you’re going to share this pain with me because
going to share this pain with me because
going to share this pain with me because it really is a remarkable story from not
it really is a remarkable story from not
it really is a remarkable story from not just my own perspective but from a huge
just my own perspective but from a huge
just my own perspective but from a huge group of scientists and dedicated
group of scientists and dedicated
group of scientists and dedicated volunteers who have lent so much of
volunteers who have lent so much of
volunteers who have lent so much of their time to make this story well come
their time to make this story well come
their time to make this story well come to sort of some middly bits we haven’t
to sort of some middly bits we haven’t
to sort of some middly bits we haven’t got the ending just yet we started 1908
got the ending just yet we started 1908
got the ending just yet we started 1908 with Charles Sternberg absolute royalty
with Charles Sternberg absolute royalty
with Charles Sternberg absolute royalty when it comes to dinosaur hunting in the
when it comes to dinosaur hunting in the
when it comes to dinosaur hunting in the world he was based in North America and
world he was based in North America and
world he was based in North America and he and his family his sons were
he and his family his sons were
he and his family his sons were absolutely avid collectors of dinosaurs
absolutely avid collectors of dinosaurs
absolutely avid collectors of dinosaurs they brought material to many of the
they brought material to many of the
they brought material to many of the major museums in North America and
major museums in North America and
major museums in North America and latterly into Canada as well
latterly into Canada as well
latterly into Canada as well in 1908 whilst the father was out
in 1908 whilst the father was out
in 1908 whilst the father was out collecting new supplies that run down to
collecting new supplies that run down to
collecting new supplies that run down to a few sacks of potatoes and that’s all
a few sacks of potatoes and that’s all
a few sacks of potatoes and that’s all I’ve been eating which is not healthy so
I’ve been eating which is not healthy so
I’ve been eating which is not healthy so he left his sons back at the ranchers
he left his sons back at the ranchers
he left his sons back at the ranchers that were digging away and they
that were digging away and they
that were digging away and they discovered this remarkable find the
discovered this remarkable find the
discovered this remarkable find the first ever and they use the term
first ever and they use the term
first ever and they use the term dinosaur mummy and this is where the
dinosaur mummy and this is where the
dinosaur mummy and this is where the actual skin has been preserved up
actual skin has been preserved up
actual skin has been preserved up against now I say the skin has been
against now I say the skin has been
against now I say the skin has been preserved it is a skin impression the
preserved it is a skin impression the
preserved it is a skin impression the actual tissues which made up the skin
actual tissues which made up the skin
actual tissues which made up the skin are gone it is left the impression on
are gone it is left the impression on
are gone it is left the impression on the mud sand sands which was sort of
the mud sand sands which was sort of
the mud sand sands which was sort of pushed up against what was probably a
pushed up against what was probably a
pushed up against what was probably a desiccated carcass it’s almost
desiccated carcass it’s almost
desiccated carcass it’s almost eviscerated it’s completely dried out
eviscerated it’s completely dried out
eviscerated it’s completely dried out and a lot of the flesh is gone from rest
and a lot of the flesh is gone from rest
and a lot of the flesh is gone from rest of the body but we’re looking at skin
of the body but we’re looking at skin
of the body but we’re looking at skin impressions but this was the time the
impressions but this was the time the
impressions but this was the time the first time the term dinosaur mummy was
first time the term dinosaur mummy was
first time the term dinosaur mummy was applied quite interesting as a hundred
applied quite interesting as a hundred
applied quite interesting as a hundred years this year so it’s timely in many
years this year so it’s timely in many
years this year so it’s timely in many respects for looking at these things
respects for looking at these things
respects for looking at these things again they did find some other ones
again they did find some other ones
again they did find some other ones which are beautiful and I sold one for
which are beautiful and I sold one for
which are beautiful and I sold one for the British Museum now the nitrogen
the British Museum now the nitrogen
the British Museum now the nitrogen museum in London and it was a really bad
museum in London and it was a really bad
museum in London and it was a really bad time to be transporting things in North
time to be transporting things in North
time to be transporting things in North Atlantic because it was during the
Atlantic because it was during the
Atlantic because it was during the period between
period between
period between 1914 to 1918 bad times be taking cargo
1914 to 1918 bad times be taking cargo
1914 to 1918 bad times be taking cargo ships in North Atlantic a German I ship
ships in North Atlantic a German I ship
ships in North Atlantic a German I ship spotted it and sunk it sunk our poor
spotted it and sunk it sunk our poor
spotted it and sunk it sunk our poor dinosaur mummy carrying cargo ship and
dinosaur mummy carrying cargo ship and
dinosaur mummy carrying cargo ship and it ended up a few miles away from the
it ended up a few miles away from the
it ended up a few miles away from the Titanic in very deep water unaccessible
Titanic in very deep water unaccessible
Titanic in very deep water unaccessible so we can’t even go and recover it even
so we can’t even go and recover it even
so we can’t even go and recover it even though it’s British we want it back
though it’s British we want it back
though it’s British we want it back anyway III forget looking for the
anyway III forget looking for the
anyway III forget looking for the Titanic if there’s anyone out there will
Titanic if there’s anyone out there will
Titanic if there’s anyone out there will know submersibles please go and find
know submersibles please go and find
know submersibles please go and find this dinosaur it’s worth digging out it
this dinosaur it’s worth digging out it
this dinosaur it’s worth digging out it really is we don’t even have decent
really is we don’t even have decent
really is we don’t even have decent photographs of it so who knows what
photographs of it so who knows what
photographs of it so who knows what treasures are hiding in that hold so I’m
treasures are hiding in that hold so I’m
treasures are hiding in that hold so I’m still on the hunt for a dinosaur mummy
still on the hunt for a dinosaur mummy
still on the hunt for a dinosaur mummy really this is where a young gentleman
really this is where a young gentleman
really this is where a young gentleman called Tyler licen comes into the scene
called Tyler licen comes into the scene
called Tyler licen comes into the scene Tyler is absolute rockstar he deals in
Tyler is absolute rockstar he deals in
Tyler is absolute rockstar he deals in rocks sorry it’s a bad one but I’ve got
rocks sorry it’s a bad one but I’ve got
rocks sorry it’s a bad one but I’ve got to get that one in now Tyler has been
to get that one in now Tyler has been
to get that one in now Tyler has been hunting on his uncle’s land for many
hunting on his uncle’s land for many
hunting on his uncle’s land for many many years looking for the tell-tale
many years looking for the tell-tale
many years looking for the tell-tale signs that dinosaurs are weathering out
signs that dinosaurs are weathering out
signs that dinosaurs are weathering out from the Hell Creek Formation Badlands
from the Hell Creek Formation Badlands
from the Hell Creek Formation Badlands which are the last sort of gasps of the
which are the last sort of gasps of the
which are the last sort of gasps of the dinosaurs and the Late Cretaceous they
dinosaurs and the Late Cretaceous they
dinosaurs and the Late Cretaceous they are beautiful
are beautiful
are beautiful barren but beautiful and you can see in
barren but beautiful and you can see in
barren but beautiful and you can see in the foreground here even that’s a little
the foreground here even that’s a little
the foreground here even that’s a little triceratops vertebra poking out of the
triceratops vertebra poking out of the
triceratops vertebra poking out of the ground it is littered with bone across
ground it is littered with bone across
ground it is littered with bone across these surfaces and it was when he was
these surfaces and it was when he was
these surfaces and it was when he was still at high school he’s now at Yale
still at high school he’s now at Yale
still at high school he’s now at Yale doing his PhD and he’s scarily clever
doing his PhD and he’s scarily clever
doing his PhD and he’s scarily clever I’ve always been told by my colleagues
I’ve always been told by my colleagues
I’ve always been told by my colleagues be careful of scary students actually
be careful of scary students actually
be careful of scary students actually like them as if they scare me I might
like them as if they scare me I might
like them as if they scare me I might learn something as well and that’s
learn something as well and that’s
learn something as well and that’s important has to be two-way but Tyler
important has to be two-way but Tyler
important has to be two-way but Tyler when he was at high school he spotted
when he was at high school he spotted
when he was at high school he spotted just a few bones weathering out of a
just a few bones weathering out of a
just a few bones weathering out of a butte he picked them up he realized that
butte he picked them up he realized that
butte he picked them up he realized that they were though bones of a hadrosaur
they were though bones of a hadrosaur
they were though bones of a hadrosaur dinosaur and thought nothing more of it
dinosaur and thought nothing more of it
dinosaur and thought nothing more of it he noted it in his field diary took a
he noted it in his field diary took a
he noted it in his field diary took a GPS reading a few years passed by and he
GPS reading a few years passed by and he
GPS reading a few years passed by and he started working with the mammoth
started working with the mammoth
started working with the mammoth Research Foundation a group of
Research Foundation a group of
Research Foundation a group of volunteers a not-for-profit organisation
volunteers a not-for-profit organisation
volunteers a not-for-profit organisation excavates fossils in the Badlands of
excavates fossils in the Badlands of
excavates fossils in the Badlands of North Dakota but they Triceratops had
North Dakota but they Triceratops had
North Dakota but they Triceratops had been digging out that summer in 2004
been digging out that summer in 2004
been digging out that summer in 2004 petered out the bones disappeared and
petered out the bones disappeared and
petered out the bones disappeared and Tyler looked through his field notebook
Tyler looked through his field notebook
Tyler looked through his field notebook and decided to go back to the site we
and decided to go back to the site we
and decided to go back to the site we should discover
should discover
should discover few years earlier because there might be
few years earlier because there might be
few years earlier because there might be a few more bones left in that they
a few more bones left in that they
a few more bones left in that they started digging what is remarkable with
started digging what is remarkable with
started digging what is remarkable with any excavation is the amount of time
any excavation is the amount of time
any excavation is the amount of time that goes into the excavation and here’s
that goes into the excavation and here’s
that goes into the excavation and here’s two key people it’s a Stephen Cohen
two key people it’s a Stephen Cohen
two key people it’s a Stephen Cohen who’s quite active with the American
who’s quite active with the American
who’s quite active with the American Museum of Natural History but also works
Museum of Natural History but also works
Museum of Natural History but also works very closely with a mammoth Research
very closely with a mammoth Research
very closely with a mammoth Research Foundation each summer and this is Steve
Foundation each summer and this is Steve
Foundation each summer and this is Steve bigan who I described in the book as
bigan who I described in the book as
bigan who I described in the book as wearing inappropriately tied shorts I
wearing inappropriately tied shorts I
wearing inappropriately tied shorts I rest my case
rest my case
rest my case anyway and Steve is quirky weird strange
anyway and Steve is quirky weird strange
anyway and Steve is quirky weird strange he’s one of the oddest people I’ve ever
he’s one of the oddest people I’ve ever
he’s one of the oddest people I’ve ever met on the planet but he’s a genius if I
met on the planet but he’s a genius if I
met on the planet but he’s a genius if I could clone him I would he’s one of the
could clone him I would he’s one of the
could clone him I would he’s one of the most skilled preparator I have ever had
most skilled preparator I have ever had
most skilled preparator I have ever had the pleasure of meeting these are people
the pleasure of meeting these are people
the pleasure of meeting these are people who actually remove grain by grain and
who actually remove grain by grain and
who actually remove grain by grain and don’t go mad as they’re doing it and the
don’t go mad as they’re doing it and the
don’t go mad as they’re doing it and the the encasing matrix that surrounds
the encasing matrix that surrounds
the encasing matrix that surrounds fossils the man is an artist because he
fossils the man is an artist because he
fossils the man is an artist because he can release these fossils from their
can release these fossils from their
can release these fossils from their stony tombs in a way that we can
stony tombs in a way that we can
stony tombs in a way that we can actually see what they look like and
actually see what they look like and
actually see what they look like and you’ll see some of his work in a minute
you’ll see some of his work in a minute
you’ll see some of his work in a minute he was working on the dig team with us
he was working on the dig team with us
he was working on the dig team with us Tyler came across though as they started
Tyler came across though as they started
Tyler came across though as they started digging into the block but first
digging into the block but first
digging into the block but first telltale signs of our fossil but he also
telltale signs of our fossil but he also
telltale signs of our fossil but he also found skin impressions but these weren’t
found skin impressions but these weren’t
found skin impressions but these weren’t any ordinary skin impressions they had
any ordinary skin impressions they had
any ordinary skin impressions they had depth skin impressions aren’t meant to
depth skin impressions aren’t meant to
depth skin impressions aren’t meant to have depth what was going on and Tyler
have depth what was going on and Tyler
have depth what was going on and Tyler did something that was the most
did something that was the most
did something that was the most important thing and extremely how can I
important thing and extremely how can I
important thing and extremely how can I say the foresight was incredible he
say the foresight was incredible he
say the foresight was incredible he stopped stopped and thought this is
stopped stopped and thought this is
stopped stopped and thought this is something special it’s probably best not
something special it’s probably best not
something special it’s probably best not to let the crew blast into it one of the
to let the crew blast into it one of the
to let the crew blast into it one of the crew was Emma who was one of my MSC
crew was Emma who was one of my MSC
crew was Emma who was one of my MSC students back in Manchester and she came
students back in Manchester and she came
students back in Manchester and she came back to me in the ottoman setup this guy
back to me in the ottoman setup this guy
back to me in the ottoman setup this guy I’ve been working with in North Dakota
I’ve been working with in North Dakota
I’ve been working with in North Dakota he’s discovered this remarkable fossil
he’s discovered this remarkable fossil
he’s discovered this remarkable fossil looks like Scott skin impressions and
looks like Scott skin impressions and
looks like Scott skin impressions and then she showed me this picture this is
then she showed me this picture this is
then she showed me this picture this is the tail coming towards us here that’s
the tail coming towards us here that’s
the tail coming towards us here that’s the leg there’s an e foot down here
the leg there’s an e foot down here
the leg there’s an e foot down here that’s the arm coming out there’s the
that’s the arm coming out there’s the
that’s the arm coming out there’s the body block in here the tail hasn’t
body block in here the tail hasn’t
body block in here the tail hasn’t collapsed it’s got volume to it
collapsed it’s got volume to it
collapsed it’s got volume to it the skin envelope hasn’t collapsed it is
the skin envelope hasn’t collapsed it is
the skin envelope hasn’t collapsed it is contiguous it is a complete envelope
contiguous it is a complete envelope
contiguous it is a complete envelope I I didn’t believe it I’ll be honest
I I didn’t believe it I’ll be honest
I I didn’t believe it I’ll be honest with you I had to see this for myself
with you I had to see this for myself
with you I had to see this for myself and at the first opportunity I jumped on
and at the first opportunity I jumped on
and at the first opportunity I jumped on a plane three actually to get to the
a plane three actually to get to the
a plane three actually to get to the Rapid City and eventually drove the sort
Rapid City and eventually drove the sort
Rapid City and eventually drove the sort of 4,000 miles it felt like up the
of 4,000 miles it felt like up the
of 4,000 miles it felt like up the straightest road in Christendom towards
straightest road in Christendom towards
straightest road in Christendom towards Bowman and then across to Mammoth and I
Bowman and then across to Mammoth and I
Bowman and then across to Mammoth and I took this is sad how sad is it when a
took this is sad how sad is it when a
took this is sad how sad is it when a road is so straight you get excited when
road is so straight you get excited when
road is so straight you get excited when you can see a bend coming up in the
you can see a bend coming up in the
you can see a bend coming up in the distance it was perhaps sort of Road I’m
distance it was perhaps sort of Road I’m
distance it was perhaps sort of Road I’m sure you’ve been on them we don’t get
sure you’ve been on them we don’t get
sure you’ve been on them we don’t get those in the UK it sort of all over the
those in the UK it sort of all over the
those in the UK it sort of all over the place anyway when I saw this fossil my
place anyway when I saw this fossil my
place anyway when I saw this fossil my flapper was gassed at I just could not
flapper was gassed at I just could not
flapper was gassed at I just could not believe how something like this could
believe how something like this could
believe how something like this could have been preserved and suddenly my mind
have been preserved and suddenly my mind
have been preserved and suddenly my mind missing whoa hang on how are we going to
missing whoa hang on how are we going to
missing whoa hang on how are we going to do this justice we have to treat this as
do this justice we have to treat this as
do this justice we have to treat this as a crime scene recover every shred of
a crime scene recover every shred of
a crime scene recover every shred of information for the science we can apply
information for the science we can apply
information for the science we can apply now but also try and future-proof the
now but also try and future-proof the
now but also try and future-proof the excavation so that when new techniques
excavation so that when new techniques
excavation so that when new techniques develop in the future
develop in the future
develop in the future we haven’t trashed information that
we haven’t trashed information that
we haven’t trashed information that could potentially buy used by new
could potentially buy used by new
could potentially buy used by new methodologies and so on in the future
methodologies and so on in the future
methodologies and so on in the future that was going to be an interesting task
that was going to be an interesting task
that was going to be an interesting task we started planning the excavation
we started planning the excavation
we started planning the excavation straightaway but before we could go any
straightaway but before we could go any
straightaway but before we could go any further the tail block which had an
further the tail block which had an
further the tail block which had an actual fracture at the top was filled
actual fracture at the top was filled
actual fracture at the top was filled jacketed and moved so too was the arm
jacketed and moved so too was the arm
jacketed and moved so too was the arm and leg which had natural fractures
and leg which had natural fractures
and leg which had natural fractures running through them already so he could
running through them already so he could
running through them already so he could actually start the preparation on some
actually start the preparation on some
actually start the preparation on some elements of the body the main body block
elements of the body the main body block
elements of the body the main body block which you can see Tyler stood by here we
which you can see Tyler stood by here we
which you can see Tyler stood by here we started using aluminium foil sorry
started using aluminium foil sorry
started using aluminium foil sorry aluminium and we cover it in tea
aluminium and we cover it in tea
aluminium and we cover it in tea aluminium and foil and then we do a
aluminium and foil and then we do a
aluminium and foil and then we do a field jacket to protect it over the
field jacket to protect it over the
field jacket to protect it over the winter because we had to plan this
winter because we had to plan this
winter because we had to plan this excavation and that’s where National
excavation and that’s where National
excavation and that’s where National Geographic got involved in 2005 and we
Geographic got involved in 2005 and we
Geographic got involved in 2005 and we started planning towards the 2006 field
started planning towards the 2006 field
started planning towards the 2006 field season when we’re going to excavate this
season when we’re going to excavate this
season when we’re going to excavate this animal and we could not have done this
animal and we could not have done this
animal and we could not have done this without support of National Geographic
without support of National Geographic
without support of National Geographic foundation that’s fantastic
foundation that’s fantastic
foundation that’s fantastic but soon enough we got together a crew
but soon enough we got together a crew
but soon enough we got together a crew of people who were going to help us
of people who were going to help us
of people who were going to help us record this amazing find and we started
record this amazing find and we started
record this amazing find and we started when I started knocking on the doors of
when I started knocking on the doors of
when I started knocking on the doors of the petroleum geologists cuz they’ve got
the petroleum geologists cuz they’ve got
the petroleum geologists cuz they’ve got loads of money in the science department
loads of money in the science department
loads of money in the science department at Manchester and I said you might
at Manchester and I said you might
at Manchester and I said you might hopefully help me dig up this dinosaur
hopefully help me dig up this dinosaur
hopefully help me dig up this dinosaur they looked at me as if I was quite mad
they looked at me as if I was quite mad
they looked at me as if I was quite mad but then I said look comin you’ve got
but then I said look comin you’ve got
but then I said look comin you’ve got this fantastic piece of kit looks like a
this fantastic piece of kit looks like a
this fantastic piece of kit looks like a James Bond piece of equipment the sort
James Bond piece of equipment the sort
James Bond piece of equipment the sort of thing which James Bond is usually
of thing which James Bond is usually
of thing which James Bond is usually rushing towards to defuse a few seconds
rushing towards to defuse a few seconds
rushing towards to defuse a few seconds for its explodes that’s important to
for its explodes that’s important to
for its explodes that’s important to bear in mind because I’ve got to take
bear in mind because I’ve got to take
bear in mind because I’ve got to take this thing on aeroplanes as hand luggage
this thing on aeroplanes as hand luggage
this thing on aeroplanes as hand luggage and it has things like danger laser
and it has things like danger laser
and it has things like danger laser written on it it’s a lot easier actually
written on it it’s a lot easier actually
written on it it’s a lot easier actually than the handheld scanner that we use
than the handheld scanner that we use
than the handheld scanner that we use that looks like a gun at Chicago Airport
that looks like a gun at Chicago Airport
that looks like a gun at Chicago Airport I had a security guard draw his weapon
I had a security guard draw his weapon
I had a security guard draw his weapon and say please sir can you remove the
and say please sir can you remove the
and say please sir can you remove the gun from your hand luggage yes don’t
gun from your hand luggage yes don’t
gun from your hand luggage yes don’t argue with that but it’s the laser
argue with that but it’s the laser
argue with that but it’s the laser technology we’re using now is actually
technology we’re using now is actually
technology we’re using now is actually very helpful recording in this scale big
very helpful recording in this scale big
very helpful recording in this scale big scale features this is but digital
scale features this is but digital
scale features this is but digital mapping not just monochrome but
mapping not just monochrome but
mapping not just monochrome but full-color
full-color
full-color let me drag you to Egypt this is one of
let me drag you to Egypt this is one of
let me drag you to Egypt this is one of our studies we’re working on the rift
our studies we’re working on the rift
our studies we’re working on the rift project in Egypt and this is what struck
project in Egypt and this is what struck
project in Egypt and this is what struck me straightaway that I can record a
me straightaway that I can record a
me straightaway that I can record a three-dimensional digital outcrop map of
three-dimensional digital outcrop map of
three-dimensional digital outcrop map of the depositional position of our
the depositional position of our
the depositional position of our dinosaur within a succession of rock
dinosaur within a succession of rock
dinosaur within a succession of rock because I can I want to know the
because I can I want to know the
because I can I want to know the relative position of our dinosaur to
relative position of our dinosaur to
relative position of our dinosaur to what’s gone on and before the dinosaur
what’s gone on and before the dinosaur
what’s gone on and before the dinosaur died during and after and you’ve got to
died during and after and you’ve got to
died during and after and you’ve got to know the relative position of the
know the relative position of the
know the relative position of the dinosaur to these big packages of rock
dinosaur to these big packages of rock
dinosaur to these big packages of rock because the rock represents specific
because the rock represents specific
because the rock represents specific environments and changes in that
environments and changes in that
environments and changes in that environment which might to give us clues
environment which might to give us clues
environment which might to give us clues to how it becomes preserved you get
to how it becomes preserved you get
to how it becomes preserved you get dizzy looking at this after a while I
dizzy looking at this after a while I
dizzy looking at this after a while I just I just first heart tried it out
just I just first heart tried it out
just I just first heart tried it out when I was working with a group in the
when I was working with a group in the
when I was working with a group in the Spanish Pyrenees and behind us this
Spanish Pyrenees and behind us this
Spanish Pyrenees and behind us this motley crew here you can see this wall
motley crew here you can see this wall
motley crew here you can see this wall is about half miles for three quarters a
is about half miles for three quarters a
is about half miles for three quarters a mile long and it forms a wall which runs
mile long and it forms a wall which runs
mile long and it forms a wall which runs right way down a mountain it’s more less
right way down a mountain it’s more less
right way down a mountain it’s more less vertical because Dooney uplift over the
vertical because Dooney uplift over the
vertical because Dooney uplift over the Pyrenees what was once tidal mud flat is
Pyrenees what was once tidal mud flat is
Pyrenees what was once tidal mud flat is now right up on its end but on this wall
now right up on its end but on this wall
now right up on its end but on this wall there’s over 3,000 dinosaur footprints
there’s over 3,000 dinosaur footprints
there’s over 3,000 dinosaur footprints it was laid down on Late Cretaceous it’s
it was laid down on Late Cretaceous it’s
it was laid down on Late Cretaceous it’s been impossible to map they’ve tried for
been impossible to map they’ve tried for
been impossible to map they’ve tried for years then we dragged in lidar to see if
years then we dragged in lidar to see if
years then we dragged in lidar to see if we could use it to help in this
we could use it to help in this
we could use it to help in this particular problem and welcome to
particular problem and welcome to
particular problem and welcome to through manya this is just north of
through manya this is just north of
through manya this is just north of Barcelona and we’ve just cut in because
Barcelona and we’ve just cut in because
Barcelona and we’ve just cut in because there are the big files a pad
there are the big files a pad
there are the big files a pad of dinosaur footprints there to see the
of dinosaur footprints there to see the
of dinosaur footprints there to see the animals walking across the walls it’s
animals walking across the walls it’s
animals walking across the walls it’s great because imagine three four hundred
great because imagine three four hundred
great because imagine three four hundred years ago if you going up on your donkey
years ago if you going up on your donkey
years ago if you going up on your donkey to the top of the hill you can see
to the top of the hill you can see
to the top of the hill you can see animals giants which have been walking
animals giants which have been walking
animals giants which have been walking up vertical faces it would have been
up vertical faces it would have been
up vertical faces it would have been pretty scary because they look like
pretty scary because they look like
pretty scary because they look like footprints but using this technology
footprints but using this technology
footprints but using this technology we’ve been out to sort of a preserve in
we’ve been out to sort of a preserve in
we’ve been out to sort of a preserve in full 3d and in real color the actual
full 3d and in real color the actual
full 3d and in real color the actual track sights but it means we can revisit
track sights but it means we can revisit
track sights but it means we can revisit them at the touch of a button and with
them at the touch of a button and with
them at the touch of a button and with using 3d glasses as well you can
using 3d glasses as well you can
using 3d glasses as well you can actually really make it totally
actually really make it totally
actually really make it totally immersive and that’s critical when you
immersive and that’s critical when you
immersive and that’s critical when you can consider this could be a world
can consider this could be a world
can consider this could be a world heritage site that will weather away
heritage site that will weather away
heritage site that will weather away through time we’ll have a permanent
through time we’ll have a permanent
through time we’ll have a permanent record of it it will not be lost so we
record of it it will not be lost so we
record of it it will not be lost so we thought this would be a valuable tool to
thought this would be a valuable tool to
thought this would be a valuable tool to use on the dinosaur mummy dig so we did
use on the dinosaur mummy dig so we did
use on the dinosaur mummy dig so we did so let’s fly into the dinosaur mummy dig
so let’s fly into the dinosaur mummy dig
so let’s fly into the dinosaur mummy dig site for the first time and you can see
site for the first time and you can see
site for the first time and you can see these various weathering buttes and
these various weathering buttes and
these various weathering buttes and classic Hell Creek Formation Badlands
classic Hell Creek Formation Badlands
classic Hell Creek Formation Badlands bring a zip round this beaut in a second
bring a zip round this beaut in a second
bring a zip round this beaut in a second and we’ve dropped in a few
and we’ve dropped in a few
and we’ve dropped in a few high-resolution scans on top of the
high-resolution scans on top of the
high-resolution scans on top of the actual mummy itself I had I could stand
actual mummy itself I had I could stand
actual mummy itself I had I could stand on top this hill and get cell phone
on top this hill and get cell phone
on top this hill and get cell phone reception if the wind was in the right
reception if the wind was in the right
reception if the wind was in the right direction but it’s them down here we can
direction but it’s them down here we can
direction but it’s them down here we can see there’s the Mummy’s body coming up
see there’s the Mummy’s body coming up
see there’s the Mummy’s body coming up that’s the body block and these are
that’s the body block and these are
that’s the body block and these are trenches which we dug out so we could
trenches which we dug out so we could
trenches which we dug out so we could actually take samples of sediment and
actually take samples of sediment and
actually take samples of sediment and make polish thin sections for
make polish thin sections for
make polish thin sections for understanding something about the poor
understanding something about the poor
understanding something about the poor water chemistry within this rock to help
water chemistry within this rock to help
water chemistry within this rock to help reveal some of the secrets of the
reveal some of the secrets of the
reveal some of the secrets of the environment in which our animal died
environment in which our animal died
environment in which our animal died with this we can also input later
with this we can also input later
with this we can also input later three-dimensional datasets say if some
three-dimensional datasets say if some
three-dimensional datasets say if some mad fool was going to try CT scanning
mad fool was going to try CT scanning
mad fool was going to try CT scanning such a giant block who’s going to do a
such a giant block who’s going to do a
such a giant block who’s going to do a stupid thing like that me so once we’d
stupid thing like that me so once we’d
stupid thing like that me so once we’d actually wrap this thing up in a plaster
actually wrap this thing up in a plaster
actually wrap this thing up in a plaster jacket which took quite a few weeks and
jacket which took quite a few weeks and
jacket which took quite a few weeks and Tyler’s team the mammoth resuts
Tyler’s team the mammoth resuts
Tyler’s team the mammoth resuts foundation were absolutely fantastic at
foundation were absolutely fantastic at
foundation were absolutely fantastic at doing this and Tyler’s brother even
doing this and Tyler’s brother even
doing this and Tyler’s brother even welded on a frame underneath it because
welded on a frame underneath it because
welded on a frame underneath it because it’s just like with a broken bone you
it’s just like with a broken bone you
it’s just like with a broken bone you don’t want the bones inside the field
don’t want the bones inside the field
don’t want the bones inside the field jackets and move so he wants to make it
jackets and move so he wants to make it
jackets and move so he wants to make it absolutely as tough as possible then we
absolutely as tough as possible then we
absolutely as tough as possible then we realized we had a block that rate rut
realized we had a block that rate rut
realized we had a block that rate rut weighed roughly between 10 and 12,000
weighed roughly between 10 and 12,000
weighed roughly between 10 and 12,000 pounds and we’re in the middle of
pounds and we’re in the middle of
pounds and we’re in the middle of nowhere doesn’t matter how much man
nowhere doesn’t matter how much man
nowhere doesn’t matter how much man now you’ve got we didn’t have sort of
now you’ve got we didn’t have sort of
now you’ve got we didn’t have sort of 2,000 Egyptians to help pull this rock
2,000 Egyptians to help pull this rock
2,000 Egyptians to help pull this rock and build a big pyramid no it come to
and build a big pyramid no it come to
and build a big pyramid no it come to mind though what we did do we persuaded
mind though what we did do we persuaded
mind though what we did do we persuaded Tyler’s father who works in the oil
Tyler’s father who works in the oil
Tyler’s father who works in the oil industry to get a rather large digger
industry to get a rather large digger
industry to get a rather large digger it made life a lot easier and it’s
it made life a lot easier and it’s
it made life a lot easier and it’s making actually the cameraman who was on
making actually the cameraman who was on
making actually the cameraman who was on that day who sat in the audience at the
that day who sat in the audience at the
that day who sat in the audience at the moment I’ve got some fantastic pictures
moment I’ve got some fantastic pictures
moment I’ve got some fantastic pictures I shouldn’t say this for health and
I shouldn’t say this for health and
I shouldn’t say this for health and safety reasons but of Dave the cameraman
safety reasons but of Dave the cameraman
safety reasons but of Dave the cameraman hanging off the edge of this with his
hanging off the edge of this with his
hanging off the edge of this with his camera
camera
camera if this thing’s bouncing across the
if this thing’s bouncing across the
if this thing’s bouncing across the Badlands and all I could think of that’s
Badlands and all I could think of that’s
Badlands and all I could think of that’s an expensive camera he’s going to drop
an expensive camera he’s going to drop
an expensive camera he’s going to drop that but it’s we’ve managed to get it
that but it’s we’ve managed to get it
that but it’s we’ve managed to get it away from the site and drop it onto this
away from the site and drop it onto this
away from the site and drop it onto this I don’t know how we persuaded this this
I don’t know how we persuaded this this
I don’t know how we persuaded this this truck driver to drive his truck in the
truck driver to drive his truck in the
truck driver to drive his truck in the middle of nowhere but he did and it was
middle of nowhere but he did and it was
middle of nowhere but he did and it was brilliant because just as the body block
brilliant because just as the body block
brilliant because just as the body block hit the flatbed of the truck storm
hit the flatbed of the truck storm
hit the flatbed of the truck storm clouds in the distance started building
clouds in the distance started building
clouds in the distance started building now rain in the Badlands equals bad it
now rain in the Badlands equals bad it
now rain in the Badlands equals bad it means you’re not gonna go anywhere in a
means you’re not gonna go anywhere in a
means you’re not gonna go anywhere in a month of Sundays because everything gets
month of Sundays because everything gets
month of Sundays because everything gets mudded out and you just can’t move it’s
mudded out and you just can’t move it’s
mudded out and you just can’t move it’s a nightmare
a nightmare
a nightmare it was a rush to get this thing off the
it was a rush to get this thing off the
it was a rush to get this thing off the Badlands and just as we hit the tarmac
Badlands and just as we hit the tarmac
Badlands and just as we hit the tarmac of the road it started raining the first
of the road it started raining the first
of the road it started raining the first rain in nearly six months we had done it
rain in nearly six months we had done it
rain in nearly six months we had done it by the skin of our teeth it was really
by the skin of our teeth it was really
by the skin of our teeth it was really well we were lucky very lucky the next
well we were lucky very lucky the next
well we were lucky very lucky the next step was preparation but before I take
step was preparation but before I take
step was preparation but before I take you to the preparation who could
you to the preparation who could
you to the preparation who could understand something about death what
understand something about death what
understand something about death what happens to a body when it starts
happens to a body when it starts
happens to a body when it starts breaking down it’s quite incredible
breaking down it’s quite incredible
breaking down it’s quite incredible really but most of the papers I could
really but most of the papers I could
really but most of the papers I could find on this were written by the FBI and
find on this were written by the FBI and
find on this were written by the FBI and it’s usually about bodies and how they
it’s usually about bodies and how they
it’s usually about bodies and how they decay in the processes because for the
decay in the processes because for the
decay in the processes because for the FBI
FBI
FBI like any scene of a crime they wish to
like any scene of a crime they wish to
like any scene of a crime they wish to know as much information about these
know as much information about these
know as much information about these circumstances by which that body came to
circumstances by which that body came to
circumstances by which that body came to rest and how it came to rest and whether
rest and how it came to rest and whether
rest and how it came to rest and whether it was interred where it died and so on
it was interred where it died and so on
it was interred where it died and so on for that reason we learn an awful lot
for that reason we learn an awful lot
for that reason we learn an awful lot for a start if the animal dies the
for a start if the animal dies the
for a start if the animal dies the stuffs decomposing and doesn’t move very
stuffs decomposing and doesn’t move very
stuffs decomposing and doesn’t move very far you get something called a CDI it
far you get something called a CDI it
far you get something called a CDI it sounds like something you get on this
sounds like something you get on this
sounds like something you get on this crime CSI look we’ve got a CDI no a
crime CSI look we’ve got a CDI no a
crime CSI look we’ve got a CDI no a cadaver decay island and this you can
cadaver decay island and this you can
cadaver decay island and this you can see around this
see around this
see around this here on the badlands where the body
here on the badlands where the body
here on the badlands where the body fluids of our animal have seeped into
fluids of our animal have seeped into
fluids of our animal have seeped into the soil but it is not the body fluids
the soil but it is not the body fluids
the soil but it is not the body fluids which is going to alter the chemistry of
which is going to alter the chemistry of
which is going to alter the chemistry of the soil it is actually the microbes
the soil it is actually the microbes
the soil it is actually the microbes which are chewing on this gunk which is
which are chewing on this gunk which is
which are chewing on this gunk which is raining down on them and the respiratory
raining down on them and the respiratory
raining down on them and the respiratory byproducts of these various microbes
byproducts of these various microbes
byproducts of these various microbes that live in different types of
that live in different types of
that live in different types of environment which giving rise to the
environment which giving rise to the
environment which giving rise to the staining that we see in much the rock
staining that we see in much the rock
staining that we see in much the rock and that can be permanent and that is
and that can be permanent and that is
and that can be permanent and that is something that we were looking for in
something that we were looking for in
something that we were looking for in our fossil which meant when we excavated
our fossil which meant when we excavated
our fossil which meant when we excavated it we had as much rock around it as
it we had as much rock around it as
it we had as much rock around it as possible which was a bit of a nightmare
possible which was a bit of a nightmare
possible which was a bit of a nightmare as it made it much bigger than really
as it made it much bigger than really
as it made it much bigger than really would have wanted as soon as we got it
would have wanted as soon as we got it
would have wanted as soon as we got it back to the lab though we flipped our
back to the lab though we flipped our
back to the lab though we flipped our body block upside down so we could start
body block upside down so we could start
body block upside down so we could start excavating it from underneath so we had
excavating it from underneath so we had
excavating it from underneath so we had a much depth of sediment as possible but
a much depth of sediment as possible but
a much depth of sediment as possible but before we get to the excavation as soon
before we get to the excavation as soon
before we get to the excavation as soon as the body block was removed underneath
as the body block was removed underneath
as the body block was removed underneath the body you can see how the sediment
the body you can see how the sediment
the body you can see how the sediment changes color literally this is where
changes color literally this is where
changes color literally this is where the body block was sat and we took
the body block was sat and we took
the body block was sat and we took samples from in and around underneath
samples from in and around underneath
samples from in and around underneath and we to produce these what we call
and we to produce these what we call
and we to produce these what we call graphic logs which give us sort of as
graphic logs which give us sort of as
graphic logs which give us sort of as much information about the succession of
much information about the succession of
much information about the succession of sediments from below within and above
sediments from below within and above
sediments from below within and above where the body of the mummy was sat and
where the body of the mummy was sat and
where the body of the mummy was sat and this is information we’d use later when
this is information we’d use later when
this is information we’d use later when we’re interpreting the actual sediment
we’re interpreting the actual sediment
we’re interpreting the actual sediment samples which were recovered and made
samples which were recovered and made
samples which were recovered and made thin sections from an imaged using
thin sections from an imaged using
thin sections from an imaged using various microscopy techniques back in
various microscopy techniques back in
various microscopy techniques back in Manchester and of course Joe meek Waker
Manchester and of course Joe meek Waker
Manchester and of course Joe meek Waker who is the main sedimentology Stan the
who is the main sedimentology Stan the
who is the main sedimentology Stan the project spent many months a working on
project spent many months a working on
project spent many months a working on the samples we’d collected but he’d also
the samples we’d collected but he’d also
the samples we’d collected but he’d also excavated out two non weathered surfaces
excavated out two non weathered surfaces
excavated out two non weathered surfaces because once these surfaces of weathered
because once these surfaces of weathered
because once these surfaces of weathered it alters the chemistry of the rocks so
it alters the chemistry of the rocks so
it alters the chemistry of the rocks so much so it’s going to be useless for us
much so it’s going to be useless for us
much so it’s going to be useless for us to interpret what was actually happening
to interpret what was actually happening
to interpret what was actually happening when these were lay down so you’ve got a
when these were lay down so you’ve got a
when these were lay down so you’ve got a mine back with his lovely ice axe rather
mine back with his lovely ice axe rather
mine back with his lovely ice axe rather disturbing but it’s a great tool to get
disturbing but it’s a great tool to get
disturbing but it’s a great tool to get using the Hell Creek Formation and we
using the Hell Creek Formation and we
using the Hell Creek Formation and we got unweathered rocks and then we could
got unweathered rocks and then we could
got unweathered rocks and then we could make polished thin sections where you
make polished thin sections where you
make polished thin sections where you actually stick the rock onto a glass
actually stick the rock onto a glass
actually stick the rock onto a glass slide polish it down to a few microns so
slide polish it down to a few microns so
slide polish it down to a few microns so you can look through look at look at it
you can look through look at look at it
you can look through look at look at it through transmitted light you can also
through transmitted light you can also
through transmitted light you can also use a scanning electron microscope to
use a scanning electron microscope to
use a scanning electron microscope to look at in backscatter lines it’s a very
look at in backscatter lines it’s a very
look at in backscatter lines it’s a very very useful way of imaging and finding
very useful way of imaging and finding
very useful way of imaging and finding out this sort of processes which have
out this sort of processes which have
out this sort of processes which have undergone or preserve the rock that
undergone or preserve the rock that
undergone or preserve the rock that we’re looking at and here we can see one
we’re looking at and here we can see one
we’re looking at and here we can see one of these typical slides and this is
of these typical slides and this is
of these typical slides and this is stuffed full of organics because that’s
stuffed full of organics because that’s
stuffed full of organics because that’s actually a slide of the skin
actually a slide of the skin
actually a slide of the skin we’ll get to the organic so we got
we’ll get to the organic so we got
we’ll get to the organic so we got locked in the skin in a minute but from
locked in the skin in a minute but from
locked in the skin in a minute but from that information and also the accessory
that information and also the accessory
that information and also the accessory plant fossils and the specific
plant fossils and the specific
plant fossils and the specific sedimentology and the type of cements
sedimentology and the type of cements
sedimentology and the type of cements which were precipitated within the sands
which were precipitated within the sands
which were precipitated within the sands gave us clues it was a very very wet
gave us clues it was a very very wet
gave us clues it was a very very wet environment very wet and there’s lots of
environment very wet and there’s lots of
environment very wet and there’s lots of organic acids probably freeing up a lot
organic acids probably freeing up a lot
organic acids probably freeing up a lot of the chemicals which were sort of
of the chemicals which were sort of
of the chemicals which were sort of locked initially in specific minerals
locked initially in specific minerals
locked initially in specific minerals which were being dissolved by weak acids
which were being dissolved by weak acids
which were being dissolved by weak acids within the ground waters which suggests
within the ground waters which suggests
within the ground waters which suggests we had a lot of plant material giving
we had a lot of plant material giving
we had a lot of plant material giving these acids and so this environment is
these acids and so this environment is
these acids and so this environment is probably not very far from what we were
probably not very far from what we were
probably not very far from what we were looking at for where our dinosaur mummy
looking at for where our dinosaur mummy
looking at for where our dinosaur mummy came to its final end obviously during
came to its final end obviously during
came to its final end obviously during preparation we wanted to record as much
preparation we wanted to record as much
preparation we wanted to record as much of this information and these towers
of this information and these towers
of this information and these towers which you see all over on all of the
which you see all over on all of the
which you see all over on all of the blocks field preparing are actually the
blocks field preparing are actually the
blocks field preparing are actually the upper surface or should I say the
upper surface or should I say the
upper surface or should I say the absolute underside to have flipped it
absolute underside to have flipped it
absolute underside to have flipped it over of course all of the block that we
over of course all of the block that we
over of course all of the block that we recovered from the field and we’re
recovered from the field and we’re
recovered from the field and we’re keeping a record right up to the skin
keeping a record right up to the skin
keeping a record right up to the skin interface of the sediment so it’s like
interface of the sediment so it’s like
interface of the sediment so it’s like having a core all over the body so we
having a core all over the body so we
having a core all over the body so we can see what’s happening to the
can see what’s happening to the
can see what’s happening to the chemistry where the animal starts
chemistry where the animal starts
chemistry where the animal starts affecting the environment and when the
affecting the environment and when the
affecting the environment and when the environment starts affecting the animal
environment starts affecting the animal
environment starts affecting the animal and we can see that transition and trace
and we can see that transition and trace
and we can see that transition and trace it in the sediments so again we’ve
it in the sediments so again we’ve
it in the sediments so again we’ve collected enough as well so that in
collected enough as well so that in
collected enough as well so that in maybe 20 30 years time that was still a
maybe 20 30 years time that was still a
maybe 20 30 years time that was still a huge amount of sediment literally right
huge amount of sediment literally right
huge amount of sediment literally right up to the skin which we can give to
up to the skin which we can give to
up to the skin which we can give to scientists in the future to say you’ve
scientists in the future to say you’ve
scientists in the future to say you’ve discovered this new technique can you
discovered this new technique can you
discovered this new technique can you help us with this
help us with this
help us with this I know it’s 30 years old this fossil but
I know it’s 30 years old this fossil but
I know it’s 30 years old this fossil but we still have this information we
we still have this information we
we still have this information we haven’t had a chance to use in this
haven’t had a chance to use in this
haven’t had a chance to use in this particular fossil so we’re hoping to
particular fossil so we’re hoping to
particular fossil so we’re hoping to future-proof much of the excavation by
future-proof much of the excavation by
future-proof much of the excavation by recording large amounts of data which is
recording large amounts of data which is
recording large amounts of data which is usually lost in the preparation lab when
usually lost in the preparation lab when
usually lost in the preparation lab when we’re preparing as well we came across a
we’re preparing as well we came across a
we’re preparing as well we came across a rather interesting find and this is a
rather interesting find and this is a
rather interesting find and this is a little croc here which is peering up her
little croc here which is peering up her
little croc here which is peering up her hadrosaur and at first I was got the
hadrosaur and at first I was got the
hadrosaur and at first I was got the phone call we’ve found a theropod
phone call we’ve found a theropod
phone call we’ve found a theropod dinosaur predatory dinosaur it turned
dinosaur predatory dinosaur it turned
dinosaur predatory dinosaur it turned out that it wasn’t a predatory dinosaur
out that it wasn’t a predatory dinosaur
out that it wasn’t a predatory dinosaur but it was a predator or scavenger maybe
but it was a predator or scavenger maybe
but it was a predator or scavenger maybe in this case but this is the hand you
in this case but this is the hand you
in this case but this is the hand you got the digits here and as the radius
got the digits here and as the radius
got the digits here and as the radius and ulna the arm it’s articulated of a
and ulna the arm it’s articulated of a
and ulna the arm it’s articulated of a crocodile it’s probably of a species
crocodile it’s probably of a species
crocodile it’s probably of a species called boreal asuka’s
called boreal asuka’s
called boreal asuka’s and this is around in the late
and this is around in the late
and this is around in the late cretaceous and would have been living in
cretaceous and would have been living in
cretaceous and would have been living in the swampy like areas and it possibly
the swampy like areas and it possibly
the swampy like areas and it possibly started scavenging on the body of Dakota
started scavenging on the body of Dakota
started scavenging on the body of Dakota I should say we’ve nicknamed a dinosaur
I should say we’ve nicknamed a dinosaur
I should say we’ve nicknamed a dinosaur Dakota now since one apps give him where
Dakota now since one apps give him where
Dakota now since one apps give him where it was found
it was found
it was found now what was it doing there how was it
now what was it doing there how was it
now what was it doing there how was it laying relative to the body we didn’t
laying relative to the body we didn’t
laying relative to the body we didn’t know and that’s where we decided it
know and that’s where we decided it
know and that’s where we decided it would be really useful if we can CT scan
would be really useful if we can CT scan
would be really useful if we can CT scan this fossil CT scan something at weighs
this fossil CT scan something at weighs
this fossil CT scan something at weighs seven or eight thousand pounds still
seven or eight thousand pounds still
seven or eight thousand pounds still after a lot of preparation no one had
after a lot of preparation no one had
after a lot of preparation no one had ever CT scan to block this large that
ever CT scan to block this large that
ever CT scan to block this large that was going to cause his problems for a
was going to cause his problems for a
was going to cause his problems for a start so but again being foolish we
start so but again being foolish we
start so but again being foolish we thought would have a go because it would
thought would have a go because it would
thought would have a go because it would provide us ideally with a
provide us ideally with a
provide us ideally with a three-dimensional map as to where to
three-dimensional map as to where to
three-dimensional map as to where to prepare in the future and for that I
prepare in the future and for that I
prepare in the future and for that I introduce you to Jeff Anders
introduce you to Jeff Anders
introduce you to Jeff Anders he can CT scan through a solid steel
he can CT scan through a solid steel
he can CT scan through a solid steel block quite remarkable how did we get
block quite remarkable how did we get
block quite remarkable how did we get through a dinosaur though we started off
through a dinosaur though we started off
through a dinosaur though we started off using as an x-ray source a four million
using as an x-ray source a four million
using as an x-ray source a four million electron volt linear accelerator which
electron volt linear accelerator which
electron volt linear accelerator which will be blasting particles up to a
will be blasting particles up to a
will be blasting particles up to a tungsten tart target which will be
tungsten tart target which will be
tungsten tart target which will be generating x-rays we then moved to a six
generating x-rays we then moved to a six
generating x-rays we then moved to a six MeV linear accelerator and ended up with
MeV linear accelerator and ended up with
MeV linear accelerator and ended up with a 9mm linear accelerator which is akin
a 9mm linear accelerator which is akin
a 9mm linear accelerator which is akin to something of Star Wars a big gun to
to something of Star Wars a big gun to
to something of Star Wars a big gun to put it into perspective if you have a
put it into perspective if you have a
put it into perspective if you have a chest x-ray if you go to a hospital you
chest x-ray if you go to a hospital you
chest x-ray if you go to a hospital you get approximately three to four rad
get approximately three to four rad
get approximately three to four rad dosage of x-rays when you have a chest
dosage of x-rays when you have a chest
dosage of x-rays when you have a chest x-ray in a split second we were giving a
x-ray in a split second we were giving a
x-ray in a split second we were giving a dose of between two and a half to three
dose of between two and a half to three
dose of between two and a half to three thousand rad for forty minutes at a time
thousand rad for forty minutes at a time
thousand rad for forty minutes at a time for each slice you would get a serious
for each slice you would get a serious
for each slice you would get a serious suntan if you’re in the same room as
suntan if you’re in the same room as
suntan if you’re in the same room as this thing it was big big x-rays we were
this thing it was big big x-rays we were
this thing it was big big x-rays we were dealing with and we did manage to get
dealing with and we did manage to get
dealing with and we did manage to get through some x-ray film is using
through some x-ray film is using
through some x-ray film is using standard technology that you get don’t
standard technology that you get don’t
standard technology that you get don’t get any resolution this is about three
get any resolution this is about three
get any resolution this is about three or four rad it’s hopeless we couldn’t
or four rad it’s hopeless we couldn’t
or four rad it’s hopeless we couldn’t see anything and this is just a upper
see anything and this is just a upper
see anything and this is just a upper humerus of a theropod dinosaur just to
humerus of a theropod dinosaur just to
humerus of a theropod dinosaur just to show it doesn’t work we don’t have the
show it doesn’t work we don’t have the
show it doesn’t work we don’t have the resolution I even tried using medical CT
resolution I even tried using medical CT
resolution I even tried using medical CT scanners because they’re easy to access
scanners because they’re easy to access
scanners because they’re easy to access and this is the same approximate there
and this is the same approximate there
and this is the same approximate there that upper half of a humerus of a again
that upper half of a humerus of a again
that upper half of a humerus of a again predator theropod dinosaur and again
predator theropod dinosaur and again
predator theropod dinosaur and again the resolution is appalling you can see
the resolution is appalling you can see
the resolution is appalling you can see very little information I did have
very little information I did have
very little information I did have access to another CT scanner in
access to another CT scanner in
access to another CT scanner in Manchester which was industrial CT
Manchester which was industrial CT
Manchester which was industrial CT scanner slightly more powerful you
scanner slightly more powerful you
scanner slightly more powerful you wouldn’t put patients in will certainly
wouldn’t put patients in will certainly
wouldn’t put patients in will certainly one they’re not alive anyway
one they’re not alive anyway
one they’re not alive anyway because it would spoil their day we
because it would spoil their day we
because it would spoil their day we don’t we’re not cruel to our students
don’t we’re not cruel to our students
don’t we’re not cruel to our students honestly this is one of postdocs and he
honestly this is one of postdocs and he
honestly this is one of postdocs and he fell up his bike honest governor anyway
fell up his bike honest governor anyway
fell up his bike honest governor anyway this is the CT unit behind him and we
this is the CT unit behind him and we
this is the CT unit behind him and we can see an image of a claw of a dinosaur
can see an image of a claw of a dinosaur
can see an image of a claw of a dinosaur which we’d been doing a test CT scan on
which we’d been doing a test CT scan on
which we’d been doing a test CT scan on we can only do objects the size of a
we can only do objects the size of a
we can only do objects the size of a head though maximum what we had to do
head though maximum what we had to do
head though maximum what we had to do though and this is an example of where
though and this is an example of where
though and this is an example of where we’ve got the the toe sorry a finger or
we’ve got the the toe sorry a finger or
we’ve got the the toe sorry a finger or the hadras Santos Ora sits on a disk in
the hadras Santos Ora sits on a disk in
the hadras Santos Ora sits on a disk in dinosaur which has got this rather
dinosaur which has got this rather
dinosaur which has got this rather interesting pathology that little spur
interesting pathology that little spur
interesting pathology that little spur of bone shouldn’t be there but look at
of bone shouldn’t be there but look at
of bone shouldn’t be there but look at the resolution we can get using CT it’s
the resolution we can get using CT it’s
the resolution we can get using CT it’s akin to actually slicing through the
akin to actually slicing through the
akin to actually slicing through the fossil which you don’t want to do its
fossil which you don’t want to do its
fossil which you don’t want to do its destructive that is the whole reason of
destructive that is the whole reason of
destructive that is the whole reason of CT scanning you want to look inside
CT scanning you want to look inside
CT scanning you want to look inside without damaging and one is remarkable
without damaging and one is remarkable
without damaging and one is remarkable about this particular CT scan you’re the
about this particular CT scan you’re the
about this particular CT scan you’re the first people ever in the world to see a
first people ever in the world to see a
first people ever in the world to see a stress fracture inside the dinosaur’s
stress fracture inside the dinosaur’s
stress fracture inside the dinosaur’s finger which is caused there it is by
finger which is caused there it is by
finger which is caused there it is by tendon emulsion that’s where the bone
tendon emulsion that’s where the bone
tendon emulsion that’s where the bone has regrown is called exostosis bone
has regrown is called exostosis bone
has regrown is called exostosis bone regrowth as a function of tendon being
regrowth as a function of tendon being
regrowth as a function of tendon being ripped out from the sides probably one
ripped out from the sides probably one
ripped out from the sides probably one of these sort of tendons which we even
of these sort of tendons which we even
of these sort of tendons which we even have on our fingers quite useful not if
have on our fingers quite useful not if
have on our fingers quite useful not if you do hyper flexor hyperextension they
you do hyper flexor hyperextension they
you do hyper flexor hyperextension they can rip out they can rip the cortical
can rip out they can rip the cortical
can rip out they can rip the cortical bone the outer bone out is very painful
bone the outer bone out is very painful
bone the outer bone out is very painful but when it does so it often caused a
but when it does so it often caused a
but when it does so it often caused a pin fracture which runs at a right angle
pin fracture which runs at a right angle
pin fracture which runs at a right angle to the avulsion site and that’s exactly
to the avulsion site and that’s exactly
to the avulsion site and that’s exactly what we’re getting in this that’s been
what we’re getting in this that’s been
what we’re getting in this that’s been hidden for 125 million years and we
hidden for 125 million years and we
hidden for 125 million years and we didn’t have to destroy the fossil to
didn’t have to destroy the fossil to
didn’t have to destroy the fossil to show you that it’s a very powerful
show you that it’s a very powerful
show you that it’s a very powerful technique so what could we learn by
technique so what could we learn by
technique so what could we learn by scanning a whole dinosaur and I might
scanning a whole dinosaur and I might
scanning a whole dinosaur and I might say this almost kills my computer just
say this almost kills my computer just
say this almost kills my computer just try and do a finger when we actually CT
try and do a finger when we actually CT
try and do a finger when we actually CT scan the core of Deinonychus when he’s
scan the core of Deinonychus when he’s
scan the core of Deinonychus when he’s big dromaeosaurs from the Clovelly
big dromaeosaurs from the Clovelly
big dromaeosaurs from the Clovelly formation it would have been chewing on
formation it would have been chewing on
formation it would have been chewing on the animal which I had the finger often
the animal which I had the finger often
the animal which I had the finger often on to Saurus but we managed to CT
on to Saurus but we managed to CT
on to Saurus but we managed to CT scanner I’d love to be able to show you
scanner I’d love to be able to show you
scanner I’d love to be able to show you the CT scan of this but the single file
the CT scan of this but the single file
the CT scan of this but the single file from one claw was 320 gigabytes when I
from one claw was 320 gigabytes when I
from one claw was 320 gigabytes when I start reconstruct
start reconstruct
start reconstruct a finite element model which we can then
a finite element model which we can then
a finite element model which we can then start playing with in a virtual
start playing with in a virtual
start playing with in a virtual environment to see how it actually
environment to see how it actually
environment to see how it actually behaves you instantly by creating that
behaves you instantly by creating that
behaves you instantly by creating that model you double the size of the file to
model you double the size of the file to
model you double the size of the file to 640 gigabytes the computer science
640 gigabytes the computer science
640 gigabytes the computer science department at Manchester now come to me
department at Manchester now come to me
department at Manchester now come to me when they want a problem that they can’t
when they want a problem that they can’t
when they want a problem that they can’t solve because we are generating files
solve because we are generating files
solve because we are generating files which is so vast even Intel have got
which is so vast even Intel have got
which is so vast even Intel have got involved with us now because they’re
involved with us now because they’re
involved with us now because they’re interested who we’re pushing the
interested who we’re pushing the
interested who we’re pushing the absolute limit of what you can do with
absolute limit of what you can do with
absolute limit of what you can do with handling large datasets using dinosaurs
handling large datasets using dinosaurs
handling large datasets using dinosaurs I should say as well there well we’ll
I should say as well there well we’ll
I should say as well there well we’ll see with the what we did with the big
see with the what we did with the big
see with the what we did with the big scanner in NASA in a second we also scan
scanner in NASA in a second we also scan
scanner in NASA in a second we also scan modern animals I my nickname in the
modern animals I my nickname in the
modern animals I my nickname in the department for a while was Harry Potter
department for a while was Harry Potter
department for a while was Harry Potter because I was getting owls in the post
because I was getting owls in the post
because I was getting owls in the post they were dead no don’t worry kids I’m
they were dead no don’t worry kids I’m
they were dead no don’t worry kids I’m not killing owls these are owls I wasn’t
not killing owls these are owls I wasn’t
not killing owls these are owls I wasn’t meant to be clever but these owls were
meant to be clever but these owls were
meant to be clever but these owls were roosting on powerlines not clever so
roosting on powerlines not clever so
roosting on powerlines not clever so it’s sort of roast owl that I was
it’s sort of roast owl that I was
it’s sort of roast owl that I was getting in the post and we could
getting in the post and we could
getting in the post and we could actually CT scan their claws and the
actually CT scan their claws and the
actually CT scan their claws and the bone is a remarkable material it models
bone is a remarkable material it models
bone is a remarkable material it models itself according to the mechanical
itself according to the mechanical
itself according to the mechanical environment in which it grows so it’s
environment in which it grows so it’s
environment in which it grows so it’s like a flight recorder giving
like a flight recorder giving
like a flight recorder giving information on how it actually behaved
information on how it actually behaved
information on how it actually behaved during life and so by studying modern
during life and so by studying modern
during life and so by studying modern analogs we then compare it to those in
analogs we then compare it to those in
analogs we then compare it to those in the fossil record and start
the fossil record and start
the fossil record and start reintroducing them the behavior on the
reintroducing them the behavior on the
reintroducing them the behavior on the actual structural behavior of materials
actual structural behavior of materials
actual structural behavior of materials of say in this case the claw of
of say in this case the claw of
of say in this case the claw of Velociraptor and this is a finite
Velociraptor and this is a finite
Velociraptor and this is a finite element mesh which we can squish and
element mesh which we can squish and
element mesh which we can squish and strange and strain in in specific
strange and strain in in specific
strange and strain in in specific environments in the computer but it’s
environments in the computer but it’s
environments in the computer but it’s based upon a CT scan so we’re taking the
based upon a CT scan so we’re taking the
based upon a CT scan so we’re taking the CT scan data is not just an outer
CT scan data is not just an outer
CT scan data is not just an outer surface it’s not an invention it’s based
surface it’s not an invention it’s based
surface it’s not an invention it’s based upon actual physical evidence which is
upon actual physical evidence which is
upon actual physical evidence which is one of my big things about finite
one of my big things about finite
one of my big things about finite element modeling it looks great pretty
element modeling it looks great pretty
element modeling it looks great pretty pictures but if it’s not based upon
pictures but if it’s not based upon
pictures but if it’s not based upon actual physical evidence what’s the
actual physical evidence what’s the
actual physical evidence what’s the point it’s a sharp point not gonna go
point it’s a sharp point not gonna go
point it’s a sharp point not gonna go there well you can see there’s there’s a
there well you can see there’s there’s a
there well you can see there’s there’s a owl or over there on the right hand side
owl or over there on the right hand side
owl or over there on the right hand side as well so we can learn an awful lot
as well so we can learn an awful lot
as well so we can learn an awful lot using this technique but what about a
using this technique but what about a
using this technique but what about a whole dinosaur we needed a big scanner
whole dinosaur we needed a big scanner
whole dinosaur we needed a big scanner this is the said beast now I do recall
this is the said beast now I do recall
this is the said beast now I do recall actually saying to today
actually saying to today
actually saying to today even Jenny who is out there that it was
even Jenny who is out there that it was
even Jenny who is out there that it was akin to having a rhinoceros pirouette
akin to having a rhinoceros pirouette
akin to having a rhinoceros pirouette emul team iliyan dollar carwash I was
emul team iliyan dollar carwash I was
emul team iliyan dollar carwash I was absolutely terrified because we had
absolutely terrified because we had
absolutely terrified because we had about one millimeter clearance for this
about one millimeter clearance for this
about one millimeter clearance for this thing to do a translate rotate in front
thing to do a translate rotate in front
thing to do a translate rotate in front of the linear accelerator which is
of the linear accelerator which is
of the linear accelerator which is housed in this unit the detector array
housed in this unit the detector array
housed in this unit the detector array here and remember these are precision
here and remember these are precision
here and remember these are precision instruments it looks like a bit of
instruments it looks like a bit of
instruments it looks like a bit of industrial machinery but it’s absolutely
industrial machinery but it’s absolutely
industrial machinery but it’s absolutely precision because we’re dealing with
precision because we’re dealing with
precision because we’re dealing with microns of resolution the slightest
microns of resolution the slightest
microns of resolution the slightest movements in any of the towers if they
movements in any of the towers if they
movements in any of the towers if they were touched it would put them out of
were touched it would put them out of
were touched it would put them out of kilter you would not be able to have
kilter you would not be able to have
kilter you would not be able to have registered them with the images you’re
registered them with the images you’re
registered them with the images you’re creating but we complete garbage be
creating but we complete garbage be
creating but we complete garbage be getting out at the other end so we had
getting out at the other end so we had
getting out at the other end so we had to be very very careful
to be very very careful
to be very very careful but we started scanning and we were very
but we started scanning and we were very
but we started scanning and we were very lucky with the tile block in fact the
lucky with the tile block in fact the
lucky with the tile block in fact the slices we got from the tile block were
slices we got from the tile block were
slices we got from the tile block were quite useful extremely useful one thing
quite useful extremely useful one thing
quite useful extremely useful one thing we should I should have explained in
we should I should have explained in
we should I should have explained in more detail in the program the thing
more detail in the program the thing
more detail in the program the thing that I’m really excited about is the
that I’m really excited about is the
that I’m really excited about is the three-dimensional geometry of the
three-dimensional geometry of the
three-dimensional geometry of the intervertebral discs we can pluck out
intervertebral discs we can pluck out
intervertebral discs we can pluck out where the intervertebral discs it’s spin
where the intervertebral discs it’s spin
where the intervertebral discs it’s spin it around and look at the form what the
it around and look at the form what the
it around and look at the form what the disk might have looked like the spacing
disk might have looked like the spacing
disk might have looked like the spacing is interesting don’t get me wrong but
is interesting don’t get me wrong but
is interesting don’t get me wrong but the actual form of these structures is
the actual form of these structures is
the actual form of these structures is fascinating and that scenario we’re
fascinating and that scenario we’re
fascinating and that scenario we’re looking at now I can’t show you the
looking at now I can’t show you the
looking at now I can’t show you the whole full resolution CT scan because it
whole full resolution CT scan because it
whole full resolution CT scan because it kills my Mac and this is a new Mac so
kills my Mac and this is a new Mac so
kills my Mac and this is a new Mac so it’s trying very hard it’s sweating as I
it’s trying very hard it’s sweating as I
it’s trying very hard it’s sweating as I about to press the key but this is a low
about to press the key but this is a low
about to press the key but this is a low resolution to show you what the CT scan
resolution to show you what the CT scan
resolution to show you what the CT scan can do this is actually bits of the skin
can do this is actually bits of the skin
can do this is actually bits of the skin envelope which is showing up when it’s
envelope which is showing up when it’s
envelope which is showing up when it’s at a high enough angle we can look at
at a high enough angle we can look at
at a high enough angle we can look at the relative position of the skin
the relative position of the skin
the relative position of the skin envelope of the dinosaur to the actual
envelope of the dinosaur to the actual
envelope of the dinosaur to the actual bones which is critical because we start
bones which is critical because we start
bones which is critical because we start working out things like muscle volume
working out things like muscle volume
working out things like muscle volume it’s very very useful because one of the
it’s very very useful because one of the
it’s very very useful because one of the big parameters when we work in
big parameters when we work in
big parameters when we work in locomotion in the past is working out
locomotion in the past is working out
locomotion in the past is working out how fast dinosaurs could run and one of
how fast dinosaurs could run and one of
how fast dinosaurs could run and one of the missing things is knowing how much
the missing things is knowing how much
the missing things is knowing how much muscle that was it’s like having a
muscle that was it’s like having a
muscle that was it’s like having a Ferrari and not knowing what’s
Ferrari and not knowing what’s
Ferrari and not knowing what’s underneath the hood you need to know the
underneath the hood you need to know the
underneath the hood you need to know the cubic capacity of that engine if you’re
cubic capacity of that engine if you’re
cubic capacity of that engine if you’re going to work out how fast you’re gonna
going to work out how fast you’re gonna
going to work out how fast you’re gonna race it the cubic capacity of this
race it the cubic capacity of this
race it the cubic capacity of this animal is a big muscle in its backside
animal is a big muscle in its backside
animal is a big muscle in its backside the quarter firmer Eilis longus and the
the quarter firmer Eilis longus and the
the quarter firmer Eilis longus and the brevis as well these are quite critical
brevis as well these are quite critical
brevis as well these are quite critical muscles in the locum
muscles in the locum
muscles in the locum of these hit based retractors these are
of these hit based retractors these are
of these hit based retractors these are ones that pull back the femur with a big
ones that pull back the femur with a big
ones that pull back the femur with a big muscle group in their backside dinosaurs
muscle group in their backside dinosaurs
muscle group in their backside dinosaurs had big asses sorry it’s on camera go
had big asses sorry it’s on camera go
had big asses sorry it’s on camera go they edited that out from the second
they edited that out from the second
they edited that out from the second time they showed it
time they showed it
time they showed it whoops sorry I was about I got my
whoops sorry I was about I got my
whoops sorry I was about I got my Britney Spears mic I was going to join
Britney Spears mic I was going to join
Britney Spears mic I was going to join in right now one thing that was
in right now one thing that was
in right now one thing that was suggested where this remarkable fossil
suggested where this remarkable fossil
suggested where this remarkable fossil we’re going to find DNA at no point have
we’re going to find DNA at no point have
we’re going to find DNA at no point have I been looking for DNA DNA is the
I been looking for DNA DNA is the
I been looking for DNA DNA is the ultimate delicate molecule of life it is
ultimate delicate molecule of life it is
ultimate delicate molecule of life it is a water-soluble molecule then left it’s
a water-soluble molecule then left it’s
a water-soluble molecule then left it’s deep frozen and even then you’ll be
deep frozen and even then you’ll be
deep frozen and even then you’ll be lucky to get it to a million years
lucky to get it to a million years
lucky to get it to a million years anything beyond that you could be
anything beyond that you could be
anything beyond that you could be looking at a blue bottle or a blue whale
looking at a blue bottle or a blue whale
looking at a blue bottle or a blue whale it’s very very hard it’s so delicate a
it’s very very hard it’s so delicate a
it’s very very hard it’s so delicate a molecule however DNA certain sections of
molecule however DNA certain sections of
molecule however DNA certain sections of the DNA that wonderful code of life
the DNA that wonderful code of life
the DNA that wonderful code of life encodes for chains of its four specific
encodes for chains of its four specific
encodes for chains of its four specific proteins we call them genes they can
proteins we call them genes they can
proteins we call them genes they can manufacture a specific protein these
manufacture a specific protein these
manufacture a specific protein these proteins are either the structural
proteins are either the structural
proteins are either the structural proteins the building blocks of our
proteins the building blocks of our
proteins the building blocks of our bodies or ones actually produce
bodies or ones actually produce
bodies or ones actually produce chemicals are useful to keep our bodies
chemicals are useful to keep our bodies
chemicals are useful to keep our bodies running but it’s the structural proteins
running but it’s the structural proteins
running but it’s the structural proteins that I’m interested in the really tough
that I’m interested in the really tough
that I’m interested in the really tough proteins which hold us together the
proteins which hold us together the
proteins which hold us together the collagen Zee elastin the beta keratin
collagen Zee elastin the beta keratin
collagen Zee elastin the beta keratin and so on we’re very lucky to find
and so on we’re very lucky to find
and so on we’re very lucky to find specific compounds which suggest we’ve
specific compounds which suggest we’ve
specific compounds which suggest we’ve got certain types of or certainly
got certain types of or certainly
got certain types of or certainly breakdown products or proteins present
breakdown products or proteins present
breakdown products or proteins present this is very much work ongoing we’re
this is very much work ongoing we’re
this is very much work ongoing we’re working on areas of skin which are
working on areas of skin which are
working on areas of skin which are beautifully preserved and this is a
beautifully preserved and this is a
beautifully preserved and this is a section from the arm it’s just quite
section from the arm it’s just quite
section from the arm it’s just quite remarkable preservation when you
remarkable preservation when you
remarkable preservation when you actually section through the skin and
actually section through the skin and
actually section through the skin and produce a thin section of it it is not a
produce a thin section of it it is not a
produce a thin section of it it is not a skin impression it has depth and
skin impression it has depth and
skin impression it has depth and structure to it in the upper layers you
structure to it in the upper layers you
structure to it in the upper layers you can actually see layering within the
can actually see layering within the
can actually see layering within the skin it’s quite beautiful actually and
skin it’s quite beautiful actually and
skin it’s quite beautiful actually and when you look at it in backscatter this
when you look at it in backscatter this
when you look at it in backscatter this is the layer you can see here is
is the layer you can see here is
is the layer you can see here is actually this area here that’s the upper
actually this area here that’s the upper
actually this area here that’s the upper surface of the skin
surface of the skin
surface of the skin and this is the lower surface the skin
and this is the lower surface the skin
and this is the lower surface the skin here and here you can see the sediment
here and here you can see the sediment
here and here you can see the sediment which is surrounding it and when we
which is surrounding it and when we
which is surrounding it and when we actually looked at it in detail we’re
actually looked at it in detail we’re
actually looked at it in detail we’re now playing with the idea that we’re
now playing with the idea that we’re
now playing with the idea that we’re looking at something maybe the actual
looking at something maybe the actual
looking at something maybe the actual epidermis of the animal
epidermis of the animal
epidermis of the animal their structure in here the stratum
their structure in here the stratum
their structure in here the stratum spinosum stratum corneum we’ve been
spinosum stratum corneum we’ve been
spinosum stratum corneum we’ve been hunting for biomolecules in this now and
hunting for biomolecules in this now and
hunting for biomolecules in this now and that’s where we’re going next but how
that’s where we’re going next but how
that’s where we’re going next but how can something like this preserve well
can something like this preserve well
can something like this preserve well let’s go back to our lidar data we
let’s go back to our lidar data we
let’s go back to our lidar data we finished mapping out our sedimentary
finished mapping out our sedimentary
finished mapping out our sedimentary units and when we started sort of
units and when we started sort of
units and when we started sort of mapping out a rather large channel
mapping out a rather large channel
mapping out a rather large channel complex it was right next door there’s
complex it was right next door there’s
complex it was right next door there’s our mummys site here this is the edge of
our mummys site here this is the edge of
our mummys site here this is the edge of a river bank which was pretty
a river bank which was pretty
a river bank which was pretty contemporary with our dinosaur in the
contemporary with our dinosaur in the
contemporary with our dinosaur in the same sort of unit this is a vast river
same sort of unit this is a vast river
same sort of unit this is a vast river system that cut yards away from our
system that cut yards away from our
system that cut yards away from our fossil it would have meant that the
fossil it would have meant that the
fossil it would have meant that the ground in and around our dinosaur would
ground in and around our dinosaur would
ground in and around our dinosaur would have been absolutely saturated properly
have been absolutely saturated properly
have been absolutely saturated properly for decades it’s it was a close-run
for decades it’s it was a close-run
for decades it’s it was a close-run thing that it didn’t actually meander
thing that it didn’t actually meander
thing that it didn’t actually meander and cut right through the fossil itself
and cut right through the fossil itself
and cut right through the fossil itself if it had would have lost it completely
if it had would have lost it completely
if it had would have lost it completely but this told us instantly that we have
but this told us instantly that we have
but this told us instantly that we have a supersaturated sort of sediment which
a supersaturated sort of sediment which
a supersaturated sort of sediment which is freeing up all these wonderful soups
is freeing up all these wonderful soups
is freeing up all these wonderful soups of minerals which are being freed up by
of minerals which are being freed up by
of minerals which are being freed up by the acidic ground waters due to the high
the acidic ground waters due to the high
the acidic ground waters due to the high concentrations of organic material in
concentrations of organic material in
concentrations of organic material in the in and around the the banks of this
the in and around the the banks of this
the in and around the the banks of this river and this was reacting with our
river and this was reacting with our
river and this was reacting with our animal but how do you start
animal but how do you start
animal but how do you start reconstructing these dinosaurs though
reconstructing these dinosaurs though
reconstructing these dinosaurs though alright we’ve started looking at the
alright we’ve started looking at the
alright we’ve started looking at the biomolecules themselves but how do you
biomolecules themselves but how do you
biomolecules themselves but how do you actually bring a dinosaur back to life
actually bring a dinosaur back to life
actually bring a dinosaur back to life well obviously the Victorians had a good
well obviously the Victorians had a good
well obviously the Victorians had a good go they had a few disjointed sentences
go they had a few disjointed sentences
go they had a few disjointed sentences and they had a good set it was pretty
and they had a good set it was pretty
and they had a good set it was pretty good Megalosaurus ended up looking like
good Megalosaurus ended up looking like
good Megalosaurus ended up looking like a giant crocodile and pride Iguanodon
a giant crocodile and pride Iguanodon
a giant crocodile and pride Iguanodon ended up in some spike on his nose but
ended up in some spike on his nose but
ended up in some spike on his nose but at the time that was quite brilliant as
at the time that was quite brilliant as
at the time that was quite brilliant as it was based on the information and they
it was based on the information and they
it was based on the information and they had science evolves there’s no such
had science evolves there’s no such
had science evolves there’s no such thing as a truth in science Karl Popper
thing as a truth in science Karl Popper
thing as a truth in science Karl Popper was quite right about many things and
was quite right about many things and
was quite right about many things and that was one and it’s how our ideas in
that was one and it’s how our ideas in
that was one and it’s how our ideas in science evolved through time based upon
science evolved through time based upon
science evolved through time based upon the evidence which is put before us that
the evidence which is put before us that
the evidence which is put before us that is critical to understand and that is
is critical to understand and that is
is critical to understand and that is something which is often misrepresented
something which is often misrepresented
something which is often misrepresented when people talk of science they talk of
when people talk of science they talk of
when people talk of science they talk of fact any good scientist will tell you
fact any good scientist will tell you
fact any good scientist will tell you there’s no such thing as a fact in
there’s no such thing as a fact in
there’s no such thing as a fact in science there are things which we
science there are things which we
science there are things which we slightly evolved and Bend through time
slightly evolved and Bend through time
slightly evolved and Bend through time this is an animal that helps us alter
this is an animal that helps us alter
this is an animal that helps us alter our perception the paradigm of what this
our perception the paradigm of what this
our perception the paradigm of what this particular dinosaur looks like
particular dinosaur looks like
particular dinosaur looks like we are going to shift this paradigm
we are going to shift this paradigm
we are going to shift this paradigm because our dinosaur shows us that we
because our dinosaur shows us that we
because our dinosaur shows us that we had an enormous backside this is the
had an enormous backside this is the
had an enormous backside this is the skin envelope stretched over its 3d
skin envelope stretched over its 3d
skin envelope stretched over its 3d hasn’t collapsed here this is skin which
hasn’t collapsed here this is skin which
hasn’t collapsed here this is skin which is preserved all the way through the
is preserved all the way through the
is preserved all the way through the tail of the animal when you actually
tail of the animal when you actually
tail of the animal when you actually look at it in cross-section it’s like
look at it in cross-section it’s like
look at it in cross-section it’s like looking at a dinosaur steak you can
looking at a dinosaur steak you can
looking at a dinosaur steak you can actually see the skin envelope when you
actually see the skin envelope when you
actually see the skin envelope when you get close to the skin you can see the
get close to the skin you can see the
get close to the skin you can see the structure of the skin it’s quite
structure of the skin it’s quite
structure of the skin it’s quite beautiful I think we should do a lining
beautiful I think we should do a lining
beautiful I think we should do a lining Gucci dinosaur handbags don’t you that’d
Gucci dinosaur handbags don’t you that’d
Gucci dinosaur handbags don’t you that’d be quite unique and you can see these
be quite unique and you can see these
be quite unique and you can see these Cratylus type scales running down the
Cratylus type scales running down the
Cratylus type scales running down the ridge of the back of the animal as well
ridge of the back of the animal as well
ridge of the back of the animal as well the preservation is absolutely exquisite
the preservation is absolutely exquisite
the preservation is absolutely exquisite it has depth it has structure this is
it has depth it has structure this is
it has depth it has structure this is not skin impressions then you have the
not skin impressions then you have the
not skin impressions then you have the arm the arm is 3-dimensional from its
arm the arm is 3-dimensional from its
arm the arm is 3-dimensional from its beautiful little paddy on the end of its
beautiful little paddy on the end of its
beautiful little paddy on the end of its fingers and it’s mitten like glove of
fingers and it’s mitten like glove of
fingers and it’s mitten like glove of skin right the way up to going up
skin right the way up to going up
skin right the way up to going up towards the elbow the folds of skin and
towards the elbow the folds of skin and
towards the elbow the folds of skin and you can see the relative position of the
you can see the relative position of the
you can see the relative position of the skin for the radius and older there in
skin for the radius and older there in
skin for the radius and older there in cross section so we can workout muscle
cross section so we can workout muscle
cross section so we can workout muscle volumes around the bones themselves from
volumes around the bones themselves from
volumes around the bones themselves from having this skin envelope it is a
having this skin envelope it is a
having this skin envelope it is a remarkable fossil muscle volume is
remarkable fossil muscle volume is
remarkable fossil muscle volume is muscle volume is critical when you want
muscle volume is critical when you want
muscle volume is critical when you want to flesh up an animal like this
to flesh up an animal like this
to flesh up an animal like this especially if you want to make it move
especially if you want to make it move
especially if you want to make it move because it’s one of these clear
because it’s one of these clear
because it’s one of these clear parameters when you’re trying to make a
parameters when you’re trying to make a
parameters when you’re trying to make a dinosaur walk that’s very very hard to
dinosaur walk that’s very very hard to
dinosaur walk that’s very very hard to work out sometimes we use modern species
work out sometimes we use modern species
work out sometimes we use modern species such as humans to actually get the
such as humans to actually get the
such as humans to actually get the computer to learn how to get from A to B
computer to learn how to get from A to B
computer to learn how to get from A to B in the most efficient way we put in
in the most efficient way we put in
in the most efficient way we put in specific parameters the geometry of the
specific parameters the geometry of the
specific parameters the geometry of the skeleton and so on and we also do muscle
skeleton and so on and we also do muscle
skeleton and so on and we also do muscle activation patterns muscle lengths and
activation patterns muscle lengths and
activation patterns muscle lengths and so on and we then get the computer to
so on and we then get the computer to
so on and we then get the computer to work out the best way to get from A to B
work out the best way to get from A to B
work out the best way to get from A to B after the first few runs it looks like
after the first few runs it looks like
after the first few runs it looks like John Cleese on Monty Python but soon we
John Cleese on Monty Python but soon we
John Cleese on Monty Python but soon we can get it walking in a very primitive
can get it walking in a very primitive
can get it walking in a very primitive fashion and you can see all the muscle
fashion and you can see all the muscle
fashion and you can see all the muscle activation patterns going off changing
activation patterns going off changing
activation patterns going off changing color as it moves and then we can even
color as it moves and then we can even
color as it moves and then we can even get it tripping the light fantastic
get it tripping the light fantastic
get it tripping the light fantastic after a few million runs which is quite
after a few million runs which is quite
after a few million runs which is quite entertaining
entertaining
entertaining this may look daft but we can validate
this may look daft but we can validate
this may look daft but we can validate our model because then we can get me
our model because then we can get me
our model because then we can get me skipping the light fantastic across the
skipping the light fantastic across the
skipping the light fantastic across the room and seeing and analyzing how I
room and seeing and analyzing how I
room and seeing and analyzing how I actually get from A to B and seeing the
actually get from A to B and seeing the
actually get from A to B and seeing the muscle activation patterns and working
muscle activation patterns and working
muscle activation patterns and working out how we can then compare our model
out how we can then compare our model
out how we can then compare our model with a living animal and seeing if the
with a living animal and seeing if the
with a living animal and seeing if the results we’re getting in terms of the
results we’re getting in terms of the
results we’re getting in terms of the gates actual movement of the limbs as
gates actual movement of the limbs as
gates actual movement of the limbs as you move are similar to what we’re
you move are similar to what we’re
you move are similar to what we’re seeing in our model that’s rather useful
seeing in our model that’s rather useful
seeing in our model that’s rather useful so we decided to apply a model to
so we decided to apply a model to
so we decided to apply a model to bipedal animals our early models were
bipedal animals our early models were
bipedal animals our early models were very primitive and we used what we
very primitive and we used what we
very primitive and we used what we called pointy soros it’s quite
called pointy soros it’s quite
called pointy soros it’s quite interesting when you use elastic storage
interesting when you use elastic storage
interesting when you use elastic storage in the back using the same input of
in the back using the same input of
in the back using the same input of energy into the same model the ones with
energy into the same model the ones with
energy into the same model the ones with elastic storage built in move faster and
elastic storage built in move faster and
elastic storage built in move faster and that’s something which were working on
that’s something which were working on
that’s something which were working on currently and you’ll hear more about
currently and you’ll hear more about
currently and you’ll hear more about that in the future because skeletons are
that in the future because skeletons are
that in the future because skeletons are not rigid structures they’re amazingly
not rigid structures they’re amazingly
not rigid structures they’re amazingly elastic structures and the elastic
elastic structures and the elastic
elastic structures and the elastic recoil just isn’t in gun and a recoil of
recoil just isn’t in gun and a recoil of
recoil just isn’t in gun and a recoil of a gun is critical in locomotion and it’s
a gun is critical in locomotion and it’s
a gun is critical in locomotion and it’s much overlooked we did some work looking
much overlooked we did some work looking
much overlooked we did some work looking at here we go monty python again didn’t
at here we go monty python again didn’t
at here we go monty python again didn’t linden anyway and these are that’s t-rex
linden anyway and these are that’s t-rex
linden anyway and these are that’s t-rex we got Allosaurus Dilophosaurus I think
we got Allosaurus Dilophosaurus I think
we got Allosaurus Dilophosaurus I think it’s Velociraptor and well the ostrich
it’s Velociraptor and well the ostrich
it’s Velociraptor and well the ostrich EMU Compsognathus have just disappeared
EMU Compsognathus have just disappeared
EMU Compsognathus have just disappeared and we that’s the human would have been
and we that’s the human would have been
and we that’s the human would have been eaten by everything it’s interesting
eaten by everything it’s interesting
eaten by everything it’s interesting that t-rex even an animal as big as
that t-rex even an animal as big as
that t-rex even an animal as big as t-rex even without elastic storage can
t-rex even without elastic storage can
t-rex even without elastic storage can run faster than a pro footballer so
run faster than a pro footballer so
run faster than a pro footballer so Beckham would have got it basically it’s
Beckham would have got it basically it’s
Beckham would have got it basically it’s quite useful but to test this model the
quite useful but to test this model the
quite useful but to test this model the next step was to create a
next step was to create a
next step was to create a musculoskeletal model so we actually
musculoskeletal model so we actually
musculoskeletal model so we actually have a skeleton running where the muscle
have a skeleton running where the muscle
have a skeleton running where the muscle groups attached the various parts of the
groups attached the various parts of the
groups attached the various parts of the body and this is why we’re working
body and this is why we’re working
body and this is why we’re working currently we’ve now scanned in the whole
currently we’ve now scanned in the whole
currently we’ve now scanned in the whole skeleton of sub-adult hadrosaur Kent
skeleton of sub-adult hadrosaur Kent
skeleton of sub-adult hadrosaur Kent Stephens has taken the scan data and
Stephens has taken the scan data and
Stephens has taken the scan data and he’s uncompressed the fossil bones into
he’s uncompressed the fossil bones into
he’s uncompressed the fossil bones into the shapes they would have been then
the shapes they would have been then
the shapes they would have been then we’ve done a fully articulated skeleton
we’ve done a fully articulated skeleton
we’ve done a fully articulated skeleton and we’ve been adding the major adductor
and we’ve been adding the major adductor
and we’ve been adding the major adductor muscles and so on to the limbs and even
muscles and so on to the limbs and even
muscles and so on to the limbs and even working out initial volumes of flesh
working out initial volumes of flesh
working out initial volumes of flesh would have been around it – Annette’s
would have been around it – Annette’s
would have been around it – Annette’s centre of mass and so on then we’ve been
centre of mass and so on then we’ve been
centre of mass and so on then we’ve been applying the data from the mummy with
applying the data from the mummy with
applying the data from the mummy with that when we can add our own muscle
that when we can add our own muscle
that when we can add our own muscle groups and work out how they would have
groups and work out how they would have
groups and work out how they would have sort of which
sort of which
sort of which Ones would have been responsible for
Ones would have been responsible for
Ones would have been responsible for moving a limbs and then we feed it into
moving a limbs and then we feed it into
moving a limbs and then we feed it into our dynamic engine simulator a physics
our dynamic engine simulator a physics
our dynamic engine simulator a physics simulator we’re using a genetic
simulator we’re using a genetic
simulator we’re using a genetic algorithm so the computer is not
algorithm so the computer is not
algorithm so the computer is not learning but it’s finding the best
learning but it’s finding the best
learning but it’s finding the best possible way from get away to be and we
possible way from get away to be and we
possible way from get away to be and we start letting the computer learn this is
start letting the computer learn this is
start letting the computer learn this is a kangaroo dinosaur this is the early
a kangaroo dinosaur this is the early
a kangaroo dinosaur this is the early first few steps it’s like watching a
first few steps it’s like watching a
first few steps it’s like watching a toddler learning how to walk and this
toddler learning how to walk and this
toddler learning how to walk and this case it looks like it’s been on the
case it looks like it’s been on the
case it looks like it’s been on the market us all night if this is an early
market us all night if this is an early
market us all night if this is an early few runs but before long we can actually
few runs but before long we can actually
few runs but before long we can actually get it running along we’re still
get it running along we’re still
get it running along we’re still fine-tuning this because obviously when
fine-tuning this because obviously when
fine-tuning this because obviously when you look at the distal end of the tibia
you look at the distal end of the tibia
you look at the distal end of the tibia and fibula the lower half of the leg and
and fibula the lower half of the leg and
and fibula the lower half of the leg and the upper half of the foot the
the upper half of the foot the
the upper half of the foot the metatarsus the joint there is complete
metatarsus the joint there is complete
metatarsus the joint there is complete nonsense at the moment but with
nonsense at the moment but with
nonsense at the moment but with fine-tuning the musculoskeletal model as
fine-tuning the musculoskeletal model as
fine-tuning the musculoskeletal model as we go along and we’ve still got a lot to
we go along and we’ve still got a lot to
we go along and we’ve still got a lot to learn the key thing is though that we
learn the key thing is though that we
learn the key thing is though that we can start inputting this data when we’re
can start inputting this data when we’re
can start inputting this data when we’re looking at locomotory models which you
looking at locomotory models which you
looking at locomotory models which you see on the screen when you see dinosaurs
see on the screen when you see dinosaurs
see on the screen when you see dinosaurs tripping the light fantastic in front of
tripping the light fantastic in front of
tripping the light fantastic in front of you no longer is it based upon the
you no longer is it based upon the
you no longer is it based upon the artistic eye of an animator it is based
artistic eye of an animator it is based
artistic eye of an animator it is based upon information that we are giving from
upon information that we are giving from
upon information that we are giving from actual studies of musculoskeletal
actual studies of musculoskeletal
actual studies of musculoskeletal systems of dinosaurs based upon actual
systems of dinosaurs based upon actual
systems of dinosaurs based upon actual fossils this is an animation this is
fossils this is an animation this is
fossils this is an animation this is science that’s a big difference there’s
science that’s a big difference there’s
science that’s a big difference there’s a lot of research still to go on this
a lot of research still to go on this
a lot of research still to go on this specimen we now have a rough idea what
specimen we now have a rough idea what
specimen we now have a rough idea what Dakota would have looked like it’s going
Dakota would have looked like it’s going
Dakota would have looked like it’s going to be fine-tuned as the research project
to be fine-tuned as the research project
to be fine-tuned as the research project goes on and it’s going to take several
goes on and it’s going to take several
goes on and it’s going to take several years to do that but what we have here
years to do that but what we have here
years to do that but what we have here is probably one of the most accurate
is probably one of the most accurate
is probably one of the most accurate reconstruction of any hadrosaur ever
reconstruction of any hadrosaur ever
reconstruction of any hadrosaur ever done before it hasn’t got a skinny back
done before it hasn’t got a skinny back
done before it hasn’t got a skinny back tail it’s got a good healthy rump this
tail it’s got a good healthy rump this
tail it’s got a good healthy rump this thing had to run it could run at 28
thing had to run it could run at 28
thing had to run it could run at 28 miles per hour we take our model to be
miles per hour we take our model to be
miles per hour we take our model to be accurate which we hope it is for the
accurate which we hope it is for the
accurate which we hope it is for the time being until we get new data to
time being until we get new data to
time being until we get new data to improve it but at 28 miles per hour you
improve it but at 28 miles per hour you
improve it but at 28 miles per hour you need a decent engine this backside
need a decent engine this backside
need a decent engine this backside provided that engine it had good reason
provided that engine it had good reason
provided that engine it had good reason to run fast
to run fast
to run fast t-rex shared the environment with this
t-rex shared the environment with this
t-rex shared the environment with this particular animal and we know there’s
particular animal and we know there’s
particular animal and we know there’s fossils which bear the bite marks of
fossils which bear the bite marks of
fossils which bear the bite marks of t-rex this is an animal that was running
t-rex this is an animal that was running
t-rex this is an animal that was running for its life t-rex was just running for
for its life t-rex was just running for
for its life t-rex was just running for dinner this animal
dinner this animal
dinner this animal natural selection made sure it could run
natural selection made sure it could run
natural selection made sure it could run faster than t-rex this remarkable fossil
faster than t-rex this remarkable fossil
faster than t-rex this remarkable fossil really does need a home though it will
really does need a home though it will
really does need a home though it will go back to mammoth where it was found
go back to mammoth where it was found
go back to mammoth where it was found the mammoth research foundation is in
the mammoth research foundation is in
the mammoth research foundation is in the process of constructing a fabulous
the process of constructing a fabulous
the process of constructing a fabulous collection of dinosaurs and it will be
collection of dinosaurs and it will be
collection of dinosaurs and it will be wonderful to have a collection of such
wonderful to have a collection of such
wonderful to have a collection of such dinosaurs on display near where they
dinosaurs on display near where they
dinosaurs on display near where they were found Tyler’s ambition and I’ve
were found Tyler’s ambition and I’ve
were found Tyler’s ambition and I’ve supported wholeheartedly is to construct
supported wholeheartedly is to construct
supported wholeheartedly is to construct a museum in Mammoth and as I it’s not a
a museum in Mammoth and as I it’s not a
a museum in Mammoth and as I it’s not a big place when I first got there Tyler
big place when I first got there Tyler
big place when I first got there Tyler said well I has asked Tyler how many
said well I has asked Tyler how many
said well I has asked Tyler how many people live here
people live here
people live here he said all 110 11 12 13 it’s a small
he said all 110 11 12 13 it’s a small
he said all 110 11 12 13 it’s a small town but it’s one which has a heart
town but it’s one which has a heart
town but it’s one which has a heart based upon paleontology and one that I
based upon paleontology and one that I
based upon paleontology and one that I know is the right place for Dakota to
know is the right place for Dakota to
know is the right place for Dakota to end up the bunkhouse which is a device
end up the bunkhouse which is a device
end up the bunkhouse which is a device of torture where most of the
of torture where most of the
of torture where most of the paleontologists stager in the summer is
paleontologists stager in the summer is
paleontologists stager in the summer is probably when the largest buildings in
probably when the largest buildings in
probably when the largest buildings in the town but it’s there’s plenty of
the town but it’s there’s plenty of
the town but it’s there’s plenty of space to build a museum and I would love
space to build a museum and I would love
space to build a museum and I would love to see the Kota back home if anyone has
to see the Kota back home if anyone has
to see the Kota back home if anyone has any ideas of how you would want to build
any ideas of how you would want to build
any ideas of how you would want to build a museum there to house such a
a museum there to house such a
a museum there to house such a remarkable fossil please contact the
remarkable fossil please contact the
remarkable fossil please contact the mammoth Research Foundation I’m sure
mammoth Research Foundation I’m sure
mammoth Research Foundation I’m sure they’d be grateful and nothing more to
they’d be grateful and nothing more to
they’d be grateful and nothing more to do but to thank a huge number of
do but to thank a huge number of
do but to thank a huge number of scientists and the National Geographic
scientists and the National Geographic
scientists and the National Geographic Society and many other people who’ve
Society and many other people who’ve
Society and many other people who’ve helped study a truly remarkable fossil
helped study a truly remarkable fossil
helped study a truly remarkable fossil called Dakota thank you very much
”
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