paleontology

Mar 3, 2025

Eggshells Point to Diverse Dino Ecosystem in North America

Lindsay Zanno explains what fossilized eggshells can tell us about life in the Late Cretaceous period. 

Feb 10, 2025

Age, Burial Environment Don’t Hinder Soft Tissue Preservation in Dinosaurs

Soft tissue preservation in fossils does not seem to depend upon the species, age or burial environment of the fossils. 

Aug 26, 2024

Discovering Dinosaurs

Researchers teamed up with paleontologists at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to find fossils belonging to a species of dinosaur that had never been discovered before. 

Jul 22, 2024

Nanoscopic Imaging Aids in Understanding Protein, Tissue Preservation in Ancient Bones

Nanoscopic 3D imaging could be a shortcut for picking fossils most likely to preserve proteins or DNA. 

Jul 9, 2024

Life Underground Suited New Dinosaur Fine

A new dinosaur, Fona herzogae, probably lived underground. 

Nov 7, 2023

Dig This: ‘Neglected’ Dinosaur Had Super Senses

This dino may have been a wallflower, but a CT scan of its skull reveals some hidden superpowers. 

Jun 7, 2023

New Dino, ‘Iani,’ Was Face of a Changing Planet

A newly discovered plant-eating dinosaur may have been a species’ “last gasp.” 

Apr 28, 2023

How Are Dino Tissues Preserved in Deep Time?

Two hypotheses for ancient soft tissue preservation are often one and the same, according to a new study. 

May 12, 2022

What Caused This Megatooth Shark’s Massive Toothache?

Big shark, bad day. A damaged O. megalodon tooth points to an injury received while feeding. 

Apr 25, 2022

Exploring the Origins of Molecular Paleontology

If Jurassic Park fueled your interest in dinosaurs, genetics, and all things ancient, you aren’t alone. There’s an entire field dedicated to looking for ancient DNA – molecular paleontology – that predates Michael Crichton’s take on dino clones. And the people behind that research are just as varied and interesting as any of Crichton’s subjects.… 

Feb 2, 2021

Parasaurolophus Skull Solves Mysteries of Colorful Crest, Family Tree

A well-preserved skull answers questions about the Parasaurolophus family tree. 

Dec 1, 2020

Dueling Dinosaurs: A Q&A With Lindsay Zanno

Lindsay Zanno talks about the Dueling Dinosaurs fossil and what it could reveal. 

Mar 2, 2020

Original Cartilage and Evidence of DNA Preserved in 75 Million-Year-Old Baby Dinosaur

Researchers have found evidence of preserved protein fragments and apparent chromosomes in cartilage from a baby dinosaur. 

Feb 21, 2019

New Species of Tiny Tyrannosaur Foreshadows Rise of T. Rex

A new tiny tyrannosaur nicknamed "harbinger of doom" paved the way for T. rex to rule. 

Dec 5, 2018

Soft Tissue Shows Jurassic Ichthyosaur Was Warm-Blooded, Had Blubber and Camouflage

Soft-tissue analysis of Jurassic ichthyosaur reveals they were most likely warm-blooded, had insulating blubber and camouflage coloration.