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What made you become a paleontologist?
Posted by Paul Sereno on Sep-15-00,
00:07 AM (CST)
I became a paleontologist because I eventually learned by the time
I was in college that I really like several things: 1. Art 2. Science,
particularly biology 3. Skeleton drawings and old things 4. Travel,
adventure, and discovery Paleontology involves all of these.
- Paul
Could you tell us the story of your trip to the Sahara? Where there
any problems or interesting things that you experienced on the way or
special people that you met?
Posted by Paul Sereno on Sep-15-00,
00:07 AM (CST)
The trip to the Sahara involved a lot of surprises as it always seems
to. First, I had no idea that our cargo containers with all of our
supplies and equipment would be delayed so long after the team arrived
in Niger. Eventually we needed to go into the desert with most of
my team using leftover supplies from the last expedition. On the other
hand, I was very happy to be received so well by the country of Niger!
I had a chance to meet President Tandja and tell him personally how
important and interesting the dinosaurs of Niger are to the history
of Africa.
- Paul
Could you tell us about how your camp site was chosen and set up?
How long did it take you to make camp?
Posted by Paul Sereno on Sep-15-00,
00:04 AM (CST)
I looked, first , for protected area , protected from the wind and
sand . Also, I wanted it to be sort of hidden, so it would be a little
hard for someone passing by to see. Then , secondly , I looked for
a place that would allow us to have some sort of privacy - within
a short walk, so we can find a bathroom quickly. Third, I looked for
a pretty campsite because it is a place that we will spend a lot of
time. So we ended up choosing a beautiful circle of dunes with an
entrance on one side. Camp took us less than two hours to set up.
- Paul
What is the first goal that you have set for the team to accomplish
in the Sahara?
Posted by Paul Sereno on Sep-15-00,
00:06 AM (CST)
Our first goal is to look over a 20-mile-long area where we found
lots of fossils three years ago during the 1997 Expedition to Niger.
Each day we choose a new area to search. Because the sand shifts,
many new fossils become exposed on the surface. And we continue to
be surprised at the number of things we are finding. It is a very
large area to search. Like searching an area many times the size of
Chicago for things that may be as small as a single tooth.
- Paul
What have you accomplished so far?
Posted by Paul Sereno on Sep-15-00,
00:05 AM (CST)
We have found an amazing amount of fossils . Every day that we spend
looking we find something. We have found dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles
- at least one major, and many interesting finds each day. Most interesting
for me is a new little dinosaur. Chris found this beautiful little
skeleton - less than 3 feet long! Sadly there's no skull preserved.
It eroded away maybe a century ago. But this little dinosaur is certainly
an new one!
- Paul
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This
class is composed of sixteen seventh grade girls and boys. They
have a variety of interests. They like to read, to write including
poetry, and several love to do math problems. One student wants
to be a Junior Paleontologist. They like dinosaurs, nature, animals,
taking trips, baby-sitting, old things, collecting Pokemon cards,
playing baseball and basketball. One student wants to save gorillas.
When they grow up, several mentioned that their plans include
becoming a singer, a graphic designer, a pharmacist, and an archeologist.
This is a delightful group of interesting young people.
