Podcast Summary: Short Wave - “Behold a T-Rex holotype, paleontology's ‘gold standard’” (Jan 6, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Regina Barber takes listeners on an in-depth tour of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, focusing on the extraordinary fossils kept there—especially the holotype of the Tyrannosaurus rex. Joined by curator Matt Lamanna, director Sarah Crawford, and paleobiologist Sarah Davis, the episode delves into the meaning and significance of holotype specimens, offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s “bone room,” and explores how fossils are preserved, studied, and shared with the public.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Awe of Dinosaur Fossils (00:17–01:31)

• Regina visits the Carnegie Museum, describing the impactful sight of towering dinosaur fossils.
  • “It's so big. It's so like, I don't think people understand how big this is.” – Regina Barber (01:08)
• Matt Lamanna shares that about 75% of displayed specimens are real fossils (00:42).

What is a Holotype? (01:31–02:18)

• Matt Lamanna explains holotype specimens as the “gold standard” fossils upon which a species is based.
  • “So they're the specimens upon which a fossil species is based. It becomes like the gold standard...” – Matt Lamanna (01:39)
• The museum has about 500 holotypes; 10–20 are in the gallery (01:57).

The T. rex Holotype Reveal (02:06–02:39)

• Regina is surprised to encounter the true holotype of Tyrannosaurus rex on display.
  • “And these are like the real bones.” – Regina Barber (02:18)
  • “They are the real bones... All these people that are in here right now are looking at most of what we have, of what, by definition, the world’s first fossil, the world’s most famous dinosaur.” – Matt Lamanna (02:20)
• The skull, due to its fragility, is stored downstairs.

Descending into the Museum's Bowels – Behind the Scenes (04:22–06:09)

• Regina explores the museum’s basement accompanied by Sarah Crawford and Sarah Davis, where research and storage happen away from public eyes.
• The basement holds millions of specimens—“22 million objects”—mainly for research, not exhibition (05:12).
  • “Most of our collection are things that people probably never see if you’re just the general public, but scientists see them.” – Sarah Crawford (02:54)
• Space constraints mean items are rotated between storage and display (05:35).

Meeting the T. rex Skull – Science in Action (05:46–07:47)

• Regina sees and touches the heavy T. rex jawbone holotype, usually accessible only to researchers.
  • “So people come here specifically to study Tyrannosaurus Rex and they want to see the holotype... the skull has a lot of really important information on the biology, the identity of these animals. And so keeping this down in the collection makes it more accessible for science.” – Sarah Davis (06:32)
• Regina is amazed (and thrilled) to touch the 67-million-year-old fossil.
  • “Oh, my God. Okay, I'm done.” – Regina Barber (07:17)

Science Meets Museum-goers (07:47–09:36)

• Sometimes, researchers work on fossils while they're on public display.
  • “We actually do have scientists go on exhibit and study things while visitors are around.” – Sarah Davis (07:47)
• Anecdote of a visiting scientist studying a Coelophysis skeleton during public hours, to the curiosity of museum guests (08:13).

Protecting Priceless Fossils (09:01–09:36)

• Before and during exhibition, environmental care is essential—sound vibrations, for example, can damage bones.
  • “We also have to keep an eye out for, like, sound levels in the space...” – Sarah Crawford (09:13)
  • “Even vibrations of sound can move the specimens and over time, could cause damage.” – Sarah Crawford (09:14)

A Tour of the Basement’s Treasures (09:37–10:56)

• Regina explores fossil storage: dinosaur bones, a room-filling American mastodon, fossilized skin, and rare Antarctic marine reptiles.
  • “This is a mastodon, American mastodon, Very old, and it comes from Indiana, but was found on a farmer’s land and then donated to the museum.” – Sarah Davis (10:01)
  • Regina is shown a 66-million-year-old lobster claw fossil—a moment of humor: “Looks so delicious.” (10:56)

The Emotional Impact of Collections (10:57–12:08)

• Sarah Crawford reflects on the unique sensory and emotional experience of working in the collections.
  • “Like the smell of going into collections... the sound, that smell of the mothballs, these drawers that have these, like, really ornate handles... There’s just so many details and so many feelings... impossible to communicate. That sound, that smell...” – Sarah Crawford (11:04, 11:44)
  • “How do I give people that feeling... going behind the scenes and being this close to, like, these amazing specimens.” – Sarah Crawford (12:08)

The Museum Ecosystem – Community, Play, and Science (12:08–end)

• Regina concludes her journey uplifted by the vibrant intersection of scientific research and public engagement in the museum.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “This is my big reveal for the tour. This is the holotype of Tyrannosaurus Rex.” – Matt Lamanna (02:12)
• “You straight up touched it? Oh my gosh.” – Regina Barber, on witnessing Sarah Davis handle the T. rex bone (07:06)
• “One kid wanted to join. They were like, well, I'll see the dinosaur. And I was like, we'll see the dinosaur from over here.” – Sarah Davis (08:41)
• “Even vibrations of sound can move the specimens and over time, could cause damage.” – Sarah Crawford (09:14)
• “That feeling of going behind the scenes into collections is something that I wish I could communicate to every visitor.” – Sarah Crawford (11:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:17 – Arrival and dinosaur gallery introduction
• 01:31 – Holotype definition and significance
• 02:12 – Reveal of the T. rex holotype
• 04:22 – Down to the research basement
• 05:46 – Encounter with the T. rex jawbone
• 07:47 – Scientists at work on public display
• 09:01 – Fossil protection and environmental challenges
• 09:37 – Exploration of the fossil basement collection
• 10:58 – The awe of the museum’s behind-the-scenes experience
• 12:08 – The museum as a living ecosystem

Tone: Friendly, enthusiastic, endlessly curious, and peppered with humor and wonder at scientific discovery.

For Listeners: This episode offers a rare, accessible glimpse into the critical—and sometimes hidden—work that keeps natural history alive, balancing research, preservation, and public fascination with the world’s most legendary dinosaur.