Animals of the Past: An Account of Some of the Creatures of the Ancient World

by Frederic Augustus Lucas

Explore the ancient life of our world and how scientists read the clues left behind.

This approachable volume presents the story of animals that lived long ago, from the first birds to the grand dinosaurs and their kin. You’ll see how fossils are found, cleaned, and restored, and learn how bones tell us about where these creatures lived and how they moved. The book aims to illuminate the past in a clear, readable way for curious readers and museum visitors alike.

The chapters guide you through the basics of paleontology, the work of preparing bones, and how a skeleton is interpreted to reveal life in the ancient world. Recollections of famous giants, like Triceratops and Diplodocus, anchor the discussion while showing the careful steps scientists take to avoid misinterpretation. Rich illustrations and practical notes help bring the distant past near to present-day understanding.Learn how fossils are collected, preserved, and reconstructedSee how scientists differentiate bones and determine life habitsUnderstand how restorations are drawn and verifiedDiscover how skeletal structure connects to movement, habitat, and size Ideal for readers of natural history, museum frameworks, and anyone curious about how the past is rebuilt from stone and bone.

227 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Frederic Augustus Lucas, Sc.D. was an American museum director.

Reviews

[Benjamin Stahl]

Decent enough. Not the most authoritative book these days, I suppose, as it was published in 1902. By which I just mean much more research has probably surfaced on this subject - not that this book wouldn't have been of value even its day. I would have preferred less of mammals, more on dinosaurs, reptiles and sea creatures. But that's just me.