Seismosaurus

by David Gillette, Mark Hallett

This scientific detective story is the first book which explains clearly the science used by paleontologists, and the new, cutting-edge techniques that led to the discovery of Seismosaurus, the longest dinosaur yet known––and possibly the largest land animal to have ever lived. Gillette's first-person account of the project answers the most frequently asked questions about Seismosaurus: How was it discovered? How do we know it is a new species? How did it die? Part catalogue of the workings of paleontological science in the 1990s, the book also illustrates the exciting collaboration between Gillette, the chemists and physicists who helped to reconstruct Seismosaurus.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dinosaurs, Palaeontology

205 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 1994

About the author

David Gillette was an American paleontologist best known for his discovery of the dinosaur Diplodocus hallorum in 1985, and more recently for his work studying Pleistocene megafauna such as glyptodonts. At the time of its discovery, Diplodocus hallorum was the longest dinosaur known.

Reviews

[Shane Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. What is great about it is how Dr. Gillette explains step by step what a paleontologist does from discovery to the final interpretation. The explanation of the science behind the who process is excellent. I now have one more museum for my bucket list: New Mexico Museum of Natural History.