Not very far from the city lines of Mumbai lies the Deccan Traps. Many millions of years ago, this Deccan region was populated by volcanos continuously spewing lava. Over-time volcanic ejections settled into step-like structures - a pristine formation with well-preserved rocks that are the stuff of geologists’ dreams. In the last few years, teams of scientists have descended here from around the world. The rocks of the Deccan Traps hold clues to understanding our planet’s geological history, but they also have potential in answering a tantalizing question: What killed the dinosaurs?
When in 1980, the Alvarez duo suggested that a meteorite impact could have wiped out the dinosaurs, it caused a scientific maelstrom. You see, the scientific establishment, like any other, is fairly rigid to change. The ‘impact hypothesis’ firmly challenged the notion that extinction events are drawn out in time. But, over the years, this hypothesis gained widespread acceptance, so much so that any opposition is now viewed with harsh skepticism. One scientist, in particular, Gerta Keller has been a vocal proponent of a theory that posits that Deccan volcanos and their intense climate-shifting activity lead to the gradual extinction of dinosaurs. Her long-drawn battle against the proponents of the asteroid impact theory has been written about in detail in a wonderful piece - an admittedly nerdy deep dive into this vigorous debate, along with a profile of an impressive scientist and the courage she displays in midst of malign. My piece (a plug!) for The Wire is a shorter primer to the subject, even as it is a little dated.
While the debate over the death of dinosaurs remains one of the sciences’ long-enduring ones (although latest results point strongly in favor of an asteroid driven extinction) and continues to play out in public, an interesting development occurred when a piece appeared in the New Yorker that described the last day of the dinosaurs in vivid detail. It makes for an absorbing read, but I wanted to mention it here because it is also an example of a breakdown in science communication. We all love a good fantastical story, but hype and storytelling cannot run roughshod over reality and fact. Read why the New Yorker piece didn’t quite toe the fine line well here and here.
Outside of scientific circles, dinosaurs are arguably even more serious business. A fantastic New Yorker piece - ‘Bones of Contention’, highlights the expanse of the dinosaur fossil trade by focusing on the battle for one specific (and gorgeous) Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil specimen. Another piece reveals the ethical minefield that underscores trade in amber - hardened tree sap that can contain entire creatures from a bygone era. Both these articles show how science and commerce are often inextricably linked and how these linkages can have radical societal effects. For instance, purchasing a certain kind of amber can directly fuel bloody conflict in Myanmar. Fossils are indeed precious items - they hold immense scientific and monetary value, a fact hardly acknowledged back home in India.
India has a tenuous relationship with dinosaurs and their fossils. Back in 1989, two Indian scientists discovered what they eventually claimed to be the bones of a very large dinosaur, probably the largest to have ever walked on Earth. For years, this finding remained on the fringes and scientists reworked their calculations based on the original (not so detailed) descriptions. The bones never made their way for proper analysis and it was recently reported that they have disintegrated. Sadly, this is a perfect allegory for the state of paleontology in India.
It’s not like finds haven’t come out of the subcontinent. We have our very own T-Rex cousin - Rajasaurus narmadensis along with our resident long-necked dinosaur - Jainosaurus (no prizes for guessing what it’s diet consisted of). Recently, scientists discovered a horned reptile which they promptly named Shringasaurus indicus. Yes. Indian paleontologists look towards home for name suggestions. Another significant find is a dinosaur nest with eggs and remains of a hatchling, along with a coiled snake, definitive proof that snakes of the yesteryear prayed on hapless dinosaur babies. But the field is marred by a combination of poor funding, stark neglect, and general apathy towards sciences of this nature. In such dire circumstances, it’s often up to good samaritans to help in the local conservation of fossils. One such fossil hunter, Vishal Verma has even gained a sort of cult status for his efforts.
I was deeply saddened when I read reports about India and its fossil deposits. For as long as I can remember, I have been a massive dinosaur geek. I’m not sure what exactly sparked my life-long fascination for these now-extinct creatures, but my parents indulged me. When the science center in Mumbai opened a new exhibit with animatronic dinosaurs, I spent hours there, reading the signboards with intense concentration and looking at the dino-robots with a mixture of wonder and amazement. Years later, when I had the opportunity to visit Chicago and see Sue - the largest T-Rex fossil, I was a child again, enraptured and completely in awe.
I think dinosaurs make an excellent case for drawing children towards science. Here are creatures that have a mythical quality about them, much like dragons and minotaurs, and what have you. The only difference is that dinosaurs actually lived and roamed the Earth. And, we can learn so much about their lives and behavior by employing tools from technology. There is no better conduit between science and the fantastical. For a child, there is no better advertisement for the coolness of science.
For us adults, if that doesn’t suffice, there is always the pursuit of reconstructing our planet’s tumultuous past. In India’s case, my learnings have been straightforward. India seventy million years ago wasn’t really very different from the India of today. Powerful creatures ruled the land. Volcanos spat out lava; global-warming was rampant and doom imminent. For a helpless non-dinosaur, it was a harsh world.
Thanks for indulging me thus far. Here are some recommendations for the week -
Churails on Zee 5 is an excellent Web Series that is stylish and gutsy but never boring. It’s the kind of female-led content that we deserve in India, but should really learn how to make from its Pakistani creators. Plot: A team of women in Karachi decides to form a vigilante group to entrap adulterous husbands and shit promptly hits the ceiling.
The fusion music scene in South-Asia is really remarkable. Two songs that I haven’t stopped listening to ever since I discovered them are Manihara by the Khan Brothers and Achint and Paar Channa De by Noorie & Shilpa Rao.
This piece by Meghan Markle (a.k.a The Duchess of Sussex) in the New York Times gave me comfort. Do give it a read. Delhi Crime won an International Emmy. It’s a taut and expertly crafted TV series but if you (like me) dig alternative takes, this very well put essay points out a major flaw with the series.
The 26’th of this month marked the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai that is firmly etched in everyone’s memory. Cathy Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy’s book The Seige is a harrowing, finely reported book and probably the definitive account of the event.
Two lovely and songs+animated videos I’ve watched multiple times - Mask Kho Gaya, a satirical take on the State’s handling of the pandemic. Ocean Tide by When Chai Meets Toast has a lovingly animated video. (It’s a really nice song too!)
Thanks for reading. This newsletter is a potpourri of random thoughts littered with recommendations galore. If you liked reading it, do consider subscribing and sharing it with friends.
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