Fossil shark teeth are abundant and can date the past in a unique way

Sharks have ruled the Earth’s oceans for 400 million years. Recent research on fossil shark teeth has discovered an innovative method for dating ancient sediments.

Bruce J. MacFadden, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Florida • conversation
Feb. 3, 2025 • ~6 min

Studying lake deposits in Idaho could give scientists insight into ancient traces of life on Mars

While NASA rovers on the surface of Mars look for hints of life, researchers back on Earth are studying ‘echoes of life’ from ancient basins – hoping that the two sites might be similar.

Robert Patalano, Lecturer of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Bryant University • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 • ~7 min

Turbulent environment set the stage for leaps in human evolution and technology 320,000 years ago

A new environmental record for a prehistoric site in Kenya helped researchers figure out how external conditions influenced which of our ancient ancestors lived there, with what way of life.

Richard Potts, Director of the Human Origins Program, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
Oct. 21, 2020 • ~11 min

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