An illustrated look at the art and science of paleontology from its
origins to today
Humans have been stumbling upon the petrified remains of ancient animals
since prehistoric times, leading to tales of giant dogs, deadly dragons,
tree gods, sea serpents, and all manner of strange and marvelous
creatures. In this richly illustrated book, David Bainbridge recounts
how legends like these gradually gave rise to the modern science of
paleontology, and how this pioneering discipline has reshaped our view
of the natural world.
Bainbridge takes readers from ancient Greece to the eighteenth century,
when paleontology began to coalesce into the scientific field we know
today, and discusses how contemporary paleontologists use cutting-edge
technologies to flesh out the discoveries of past and present. He brings
to life the stories and people behind some of the greatest fossil finds
of all time, and explains how paleontology has long straddled the
spheres of science and art. Bainbridge also looks to the future of the
discipline, discussing how the rapid recovery of DNA and other genetic
material from the fossil record promises to revolutionize our
understanding of the origins and evolution of ancient life.
This panoramic book brings together stunning illustrations ranging from
early sketches and engravings to eye-popping paleoart and high-tech
computer reconstructions.
