Jurassic America: Unearthing the Ancient Continent

Podcast: The Ancients
Host: Tristan Hughes
Guest: Professor Caroline Winterer, Stanford University
Release Date: March 27, 2025

1. Introduction to the Deep Time Revolution

In the episode titled "Jurassic America", Tristan Hughes delves into the profound transformations in understanding North America's ancient history, guided by Professor Caroline Winterer. Winterer's recent book, "How the New World Became Old: The Deep Time Revolution in America", serves as the foundation for the discussion, exploring how 19th-century fossil discoveries revolutionized perceptions of the continent's antiquity.

“How in the 19th century, people began unearthing countless fossils of ancient animals and dinosaurs that revealed how the New World might in fact be the oldest world of all,” explains Winterer (02:20).

2. Understanding the Age of North America

Winterer emphasizes that modern science recognizes the North American continent as over 4 billion years old. Notably, the Canadian Shield in eastern Canada showcases some of the planet's oldest exposed rocks, allowing visitors to literally walk on ancient geological formations.

“Today, scientists believe that the North American continent is over 4 billion years old,” states Winterer (05:53).

She highlights that most rocks of this age remain submerged beneath continental shelves, with the Canadian Shield being a rare surface testament to Earth's deep past.

3. Early Fossil Discoveries: Trilobites and the Carboniferous Period

The conversation transitions to the Deep Time Revolution, a shift from viewing the Earth as a mere 6,000-year-old creation to recognizing its vast, multi-billion-year history. This paradigm shift was propelled by radiometric dating methods introduced in the early 1900s, allowing scientists to assign actual ages to geological formations.

Winterer recounts the fascination with trilobites, ancient marine arthropods whose fossils were among the first discoveries challenging young Earth theories.

“They did imagine that God must have given them eyes because God would have wanted them to see and enjoy the beautiful sunlit waters of the infant oceans,” Winterer muses on the Victorian interpretations of trilobite fossils (12:18).

Further, the Carboniferous period introduced vast fossil forests, later understood as oil deposits, which were celebrated as divine gifts fueling the Industrial Revolution.

“They created a new Eden around the trilobites,” Winterer remarks, highlighting the intertwining of paleontological discoveries with contemporary societal developments (14:02).

4. The Dinosaur Craze and Impact on American Identity

The discovery of dinosaur fossils in the Cretaceous and Jurassic strata ignited a national fascination. Winterer explains how these finds not only captivated the public imagination but also served as symbols of American progression and superiority.

“This was quite extraordinary... Americans began to imagine that they were not 6,000 years old, that they were in fact quite a bit older than that,” Winterer explains the transformative impact of these discoveries (08:17).

She details how dinosaur fossils, including iconic species like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brontosaurus, were leveraged to assert America’s prominence in the scientific world.

“Americans have a terminal inferiority complex... but now they had dinosaur fossils that were bigger and also that were older,” Winterer critiques the underlying motivations behind fossil exhibitions (18:03).

5. Political Implications and Manifest Destiny

Winterer delves into the political dimensions of paleontological discoveries, linking them to the ideology of Manifest Destiny. The assertion that North America's ancient past, rich with colossal dinosaurs and unique mammals, underscored a divine favor and justified westward expansion.

“This solid, dry land that you are now living on, they were speaking to the Lakota Sioux, for example. This dry land is not yours, it is ours,” Winterer discusses how fossil discoveries were used to legitimize territorial claims (22:01).

She underscores the role of fossils in diminishing Native American claims to the land by positioning dinosaurs as the continent's original inhabitants, thereby marginalizing indigenous histories.

6. Evolution of Paleontology and American Science

The episode explores the competitive nature of early American paleontology. Winterer describes how private funding and regional rivalries spurred expeditions, leading to a rush in fossil discoveries across the Midwest.

“Science is baked from the beginning with competition firmly within it,” Winterer observes (38:55).

Prominent figures and institutions, particularly those based in Philadelphia, became central hubs for collecting and displaying fossils, reinforcing America's scientific credentials on the global stage.

7. The Development of Extinction Theory and Human Perception

A pivotal theme is the evolving understanding of extinction. Initially, fossil discoveries like mastodons led figures like Thomas Jefferson to believe in the possibility of coexisting extinct and extant species, aligning with theological views of a benevolent creator.

“Extinction wasn't even formulated until around the year 1800,” Winterer notes, highlighting the gradual acceptance of species disappearance (36:18).

The discussion also touches on how human history was reinterpreted through paleontological lenses, with European fossils being romanticized and appropriated to align with colonial narratives.

“They were basically saying white Americans have nothing to do with Native Americans. Their cultural origins are in Europe,” Winterer critiques the appropriation of paleontological evidence to support colonial ideologies (34:53).

8. The Victorian Influence on Dinosaur Perceptions

Winterer critiques the Victorian-era influences that shaped modern perceptions of dinosaurs as aggressive and monstrous beings. She argues that these depictions were less about scientific accuracy and more about mirroring contemporary societal fears and values.

“They thought that any ancient time period must have been a lawless era of blood and gore,” Winterer explains the Victorian imposition on Jurassic and Cretaceous portrayals (41:52).

This legacy continues today, as the sensationalized image of dinosaurs persists in popular culture, overshadowing the more nuanced realities of these ancient creatures.

9. Conclusion and Legacy of Deep Time America

Concluding the episode, Winterer reflects on the lasting legacy of the 19th-century Deep Time Revolution. It not only transformed scientific understanding but also reinforced nationalistic pride and justified industrial expansion through the exploitation of fossil fuels.

“It cemented for Americans what they suspected, which was that God had favored North America with a divine mission to lead the world to salvation,” Winterer summarizes the intertwining of paleontology with American exceptionalism (45:34).

Tristan Hughes wraps up by promoting Winterer's book, encouraging listeners to explore the rich tapestry of North America's prehistoric past.

“If you like dinosaur pictures, it's got over 100 of them in color and black and white. Trilobites, T. Rexes. It's all there,” Hughes endorses the comprehensive coverage in "How the New World Became Old" (47:31).

Notable Quotes:

• “Deep time is the view that the planet Earth itself is billions of years old, and life upon several hundred million of years old.” — Professor Caroline Winterer (05:03)

• “They are invented and created partly for political uses.” — Professor Caroline Winterer (22:00)

• “Science is baked from the beginning with competition firmly within it.” — Professor Caroline Winterer (38:55)

• “They imposed on the Jurassic and that's what we carry around with us today.” — Professor Caroline Winterer (41:52)

Final Thoughts

"Jurassic America" offers a compelling exploration of how fossil discoveries in the 19th century reshaped American identity, science, and geopolitical narratives. Professor Caroline Winterer provides insightful analysis into the symbiotic relationship between paleontology and societal evolution, revealing the profound impact of ancient lifeforms on modern America.

For those passionate about ancient history and paleontology, this episode not only illuminates the depth of North America's prehistoric legacy but also invites reflection on how scientific discoveries intertwine with cultural and political undercurrents.

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