In The Dinosaurs Rediscovered, Michael J. Benton, the author of over 50 books on science and dinosaurs, describes how dinosaur science (or more accurately, palaeontology) has shifted away from its 19th century natural science roots to embrace new technologies and computational advancements. Younger palaeobiologists are armed with advanced computer-based approaches for discovering and analysing new fossil evidence:
“These methods have opened the floodgates to enable new explorations of the various phases of the evolution of dinosaurs, and how different groups came and went, and are providing ways to tackle big evolutionary questions that were thought impossible to answer when I began to work . . . in the 1980s.”
Benton feels fortunate to have experienced the “natural history to testable science” revolution that has dominated his field for the past few decades. He accepts the completeness of the change:
“A new breed of dinosaur palaeobiologist replaced the older ones, and they have applied a hard eye to the old speculations. Smart lateral thinking, new fossils, and new methods of computation have stormed the field.”
Here are just a few of the questions addressed by Benton’s book that reflect this revolution in innovative technologies:
How did dinosaurs run, move, or fly? Could they swim? Were they smart? Why were they so big? How realistic is the cloning science in the Jurassic Park movies?
Why were their eggs and babies so small, relative to modern birds and reptiles?
Did dinosaurs evolve gradually or did they burst on the scene as survivors of a climatic catastrophe?
In his book’s final chapter, Benton describes in stunningly convincing language and detail the Manhattan-sized asteroid that most likely struck modern Mexico some 65 million years ago and tore a hole in the earth. The dinosaurs were wiped out by a huge fire ball, and the subsequent tsunamis, winds, and dust. This asteroid theory was first promulgated in 1980 by an American scientist named Luis Alvarez. Although Benton sympathises with the sceptical reaction that scoffed at his ideas, he explains why his community’s reaction was disappointing.
Benton’ book includes copious supportive graphic material: drawings, charts, tables, figures, colour photos. The drawings of dinosaurs included fun biographical information.
One chapter offered an informative peek behind the intricate, tedious, painstaking work at a dinosaur dig. Bones are identified, mapped, and removed. Fossils are scanned by electron microscopes and mass spectrometers. I also enjoyed how he has embraced the revolution that he has witnessed in his field. Benton even jokes about rewriting parts of this book in a decade or two because he expects (and even welcomes) new evidence and new fossils.
Benton is optimistic about the future of his palaeontological world:
“This is a story of discovery of new fossil specimens, innovative new ideas about methods, the harnessing of improving computer power, and the continuing fascination of the dinosaurian tree of life. It’s not over yet.”
Any Cop?: As a humanities type with little knowledge or background in science, I often felt like an interloper who skipped the prerequisites to take Benton’s seminar on the palaeontology revolution. However, his cogent summaries of each chapter helped me “keep up” with the course work, as it were. He posed rhetorical questions that returned my attention to a particular topic and kept me moored to the main idea instead of overwhelming me with jargon and details. Although I don’t expect a passing grade, I did manage to learn from Dr. Benton’s informative book.
Chris Oleson
Bookmunch 