Big Bone Lick : the cradle of American paleontology / Stanley Hedeen ; foreword by John Mack Faragher.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hedeen, Stanley.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Paleontology--Kentucky--Big Bone.

Paleontology.

Mammoths--Kentucky--Big Bone.

Mammoths.

Mastodons--Kentucky--Big Bone.

Mastodons.

Mammals, Fossil--Kentucky--Big Bone.

Mammals, Fossil.

Fossils--Kentucky--Big Bone.

Fossils.

Big Bone (Ky.)--History.

Big Bone (Ky.).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (201 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, c2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

On March 7, 1808, President Thomas Jefferson received a long-awaited shipment of approximately 300 fossils from William Clark, who had just completed his westward expedition with Meriwether Lewis. The fossils were unearthed at Big Bone Lick in northern Kentucky, and over the years they had gained the interest of such prominent figures as Daniel Boone, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson's receipt of the fossils was the realization of more than twenty years of the philosopherstatesman's interest in the site and its natural treasures. Big Bone Lick: The Cradle of American Paleontology recounts the rich history of the fossil site that gave the world the first evidence of the extinction of several mammalian species, including the American mastodon. Big Bone Lick has played many roles: nutrient source, hallowed ground, salt mine, health spa, and a trove of archaeological riches and paleontological wonders. Natural historian Stanley Hedeen presents a comprehensive and accessible narrative of Big Bone Lick from its geological formation forward, explaining why the site attracted first animals, then Native peoples of the region, European explorers and scientists, and eventually American pioneers and presidents. Big Bone Lick is a history of both a place and a scientific discipline: it explores the infancy and adolescence of paleontology from its humble and sometimes humorous beginnings. Hedeen combines elements of history, geology, politics, and biology to make Big Bone Lick an entertaining story as well as a valuable historical resource.

Contents:

Geologic setting

Source of salt and health

Indian accounts of great buffalo

Gathering the bones

Animal incognitum

Thomas Jefferson takes an interest

A question of tusks

William Goforth's stolen specimens

William Clark's bountiful collection

The faunal list evolves

Other mammoth changes

Agents of extinction.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-174) and index.

ISBN:

9780813150079

0813150078

9780813172927

0813172926

OCLC:

966803307