The Dinosaurs Rediscovered: The Scientific Revolution in Paleontology
By Michael J. Benton
The world-renowned palaeontologist Michael Benton has produced a fascinating overview of the development of dinosaur studies in the light of modern ideas and technology.
New studies have revealed previously unknown details on running speed, bite force, mating habits and methods for caring for young.
Modern science has also assisted in the investigation of eating habits of dinosaurs, using tooth shape, stomach contents and fossil faeces (coprolites).
Benton discusses the shortcomings of recent popular films such as Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom in their lack of reference to modern research in their reconstructions, particularly the lack of any dinosaurs with feathers.
He also discusses the value of visual artists in interpreting remains, e.g. computational digital aids used in generating movie special effects to realistically model posture, gait and walking speed.
Also featured are the recent developments and collaborations between scientists and paleoartists in studying the colour and patterns on the skin of some species, based on microscopic study of fossil remains (e.g. Sinosauropteryx as featured on the cover).
Chapter List:
Geological Timeline
Introduction: How Scientific Discoveries are Made
1 Origin of the Dinosaurs
2 Making the Tree
3 Digging up Dinosaurs
4 Breathing, Brains and Behaviour
5 Jurassic Park (Or Not…)?
6 From Baby to Giant
7 How Did Dinosaurs Eat?
8 How Did They Move & Run?
9 Mass Extinction
120 illustrations
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1 edition (May 7, 2019)
ISBN-10: 050005200X
ISBN-13: 978-0500052006