Join us for a virtual lecture with writer Tom Rea, in conversation with Matthew C. Lamanna, paleontologist and the principal dinosaur researcher at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Less than one hundred years ago, Diplodocus carnegii—named after industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie—was the most famous dinosaur on the planet. The most complete fossil skeleton unearthed to date, and one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, Diplodocus was displayed in a dozen museums around the world and viewed by millions of people.
Bone Wars explains how a fossil unearthed in the badlands of Wyoming in 1899 helped give birth to the public’s fascination with prehistoric beasts. Rea also traces the evolution of scientific thought regarding dinosaurs and reveals the double-crosses and behind-the-scenes deals that marked the early years of bone hunting. With the help of letters found in scattered archives, Tom Rea recreates a remarkable story of five men – a story of hubris, hope, and turn-of-the-century science. What emerges is the picture of an era reminiscent of today: technology advancing by leaps and bounds; the press happy to sensationalize anything that turned up; huge amounts of capital ending up in the hands of a small number of people; and some devoted individuals placing honest research above personal gain.
This event is free, with registration.
Ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the virtual lecture on Thursday, September 23.
Email: info@pittsburghlectures.org
2021/09/23 - 2021/09/23
Additional time info:
Bone Wars: The Excavation and Celebrity of Andrew Carnegie’s Dinosaur, Twentieth Anniversary Edition will be available for sale from White Whale Bookstore on September 14, 2021.
Online/Virtual Space