#565 - Trevor Valle
Trevor Valle is paleontologist and the host of 'Mammoth Unearthed' debuting on October 26th on the NatGeo Channel.
Episodes with Trevor Valle
Categories
Key Takeaways
Urban construction projects can uncover significant paleontological finds.
This highlights the importance of archaeological oversight in urban development.
The fossil record is crucial for understanding evolution and ancient life.
Understanding fossils can provide insights into environmental changes and species evolution.
Meteor impacts likely contributed to mass extinction events.
Understanding these events helps clarify ancient ecological shifts.
Woolly mammoths lived thousands of years longer than believed.
This challenges previous timelines of mammal extinctions and survival.
Paleontology uncovers critical gaps in our understanding of human evolution.
Understanding evolution helps us grasp our past and influence future research.
Episode Timestamps
Paleontologist Discusses Fossil Discoveries in Urban Excavations
- Excavation sites often reveal ancient fossils, including mammoths and whales.
- California laws mandate archaeological inspections to protect significant finds.
- Paleontology is a relatively young science that has gained popularity in recent years.
Exploring the Extinction of Woolly Mammoths and Saber-Toothed Cats
- Discussion on the impact of meteorites on ancient mammal extinction events.
- Evidence of woolly mammoths surviving longer than previously thought.
- Insights into fossil discovery and the rarity of intact mammoth carcasses.
Exploring Human Evolution and Genetic Modification in Agriculture
- Paleontology reveals fascinating insights into human history and evolution.
- Genetic modification in agriculture raises questions about food labeling and ethics.
- Artificial selection has dramatically changed animal breeds through human intervention.
Exploring Mammoths and Ancient Science in Siberia
- Discussion revolves around mammoth discoveries and indigenous practices in Siberia.
- The impact of modern science on ancient animal remains is emphasized.
- Cultural rituals surrounding animal sacrifice are explored in depth.
Exploration of Siberian Mammoths and Cloning Ethics
- Adventurous journey to Siberia leads to discovery of a bleeding mammoth.
- Discussion on ethical implications of cloning extinct species like woolly mammoths.
- Exploration highlights the intersection of paleontology and modern genetics.
Discussion on Cloning Woolly Mammoths and Evolutionary Insights
- Cloning woolly mammoths raises ethical and scientific questions regarding DNA preservation.
- The resilience of ancient bacteria highlights nature's adaptability and survival mechanisms.
- A documentary on mammoth expeditions showcases ongoing paleontological research and public interest.
Science Denial and Evolution: A Heated Discussion
- A significant portion of Americans deny established scientific facts about evolution.
- Beliefs about the Earth's age reflect broader issues of science denialism.
- The evolution of technology may change how we perceive and understand science.
People Mentioned
Trevor Vallee
Paleontologist
Kirk Cameron
Actor, Creationist
Unknown speaker
Anthropologist, Archaeologist
Unknown Speaker
Podcast Host/Contributor
Mary Lou Henner
Actress, Author
Places Mentioned
Los Angeles
City
Siberia
Geographical region
Channel Islands
Geographical region
Alaska
Geographical region
California
Geographical region
Mexico City
Geographical region
Yakutsk
City
East Hollywood, CA
Neighborhood
Books Mentioned
Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Notable Quotes
"Wow, yeah I'm standing next to things that could easily kill."
Discussing the dangers of working near heavy machinery during excavations.
"Finding completely flat flash frozen animals is incredibly fascinating."
Talking about the preservation of mammoths found in permafrost.
"60 percent land mammals died era, that's large, that's huge chunk."
Discussing the scale of extinction during the meteor impact.
"Finding mammoth carcass actually pretty rare find like chunk mammoth may hair tissue."
Highlighting the challenges of discovering intact prehistoric remains.
"That's like huge single hoof every transitional stage 55 million years."
Discussing the evolution of horses.