Lecture 42 Cenozoic Dinosaurs: From the K/Pg Aftermath through Paleoethics

First we look at the recovery from the K/Pg extinction, and very briefly review the history of cold-blooded reptiles, mammals, and birds (the last of the dinosaurs) in the Cenozoic. Then we move to modern times and examine act of fossil hunting (as distinct from the science of paleontology): its critical role for science; the contributions of various communities (professional scientists, amateur collectors, and commercial fossil hunters); and begin to look a some of the arguments given pro- and con- for contemporary commercial fossil sales.