Dinosaurs: How They Lived
Even though dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago, we know quite a bit about them, including what they ate, where they lived, and even what they looked like! But, if we never lived during the same time as dinosaurs, how would we know when they existed? Are we even sure that they did exist? Scientists and archaeologists examine dinosaur fossils, an organism’s remains, to understand more about the dinosaurs’ life and the era in which they lived. Let’s investigate some of these methods and what they reveal!
Stratigraphy:
Stratigraphy is the process of studying the geological strata in which the fossil was. Strata are layers of rock in the ground, so depending on where the fossil is located, you can determine how old the fossil was. The deeper the strata where the fossil is found, the older the fossil will be. This procedure isn’t always ideal since geological activities can occasionally disturb or alter the layers of rock, which will change the results. However, it can work well in combination with the second technique to give a detailed picture of when the dinosaur lived.
Microscopic Analysis:
Microscopical investigation involves examining the fossil under a microscope to examine its content and structure. A microscope allows the scientist to zoom really far into an object, which shows various structures and traits that are invisible to the naked eye. Scientists can discover more about the habitat that the dinosaur lived in by examining the structure and makeup of the fossil. For instance, if there are several carbon deposits on the fossil, the dinosaur may have lived in a marshy environment. Similarly, if there are many calcium deposits in the fossil, the dinosaur may have lived in a marine setting.
Scientists and archaeologists utilize various techniques to examine dinosaur remains and discover more about the creatures’ life and the era in which they lived. A few of the methods employed are microscopic examination and stratigraphy. Scientists can get more knowledge about the history of the world and the creatures that previously walked it by analyzing dinosaur remains. So, the next time you think about the giant reptiles that once roamed our planet, don’t forget about the techniques scientists used to confirm their existence!
Source:
“Fossil Halls Orientation Center: AMNH.” American Museum of Natural History. 
Accessed May, 14 2023.
Magazine, Smithsonian. “How Do Scientists Date Fossils?” Smithsonian.Com, 12 June 2019.
Scientific Peer Review by Alysia Mandato
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