56 episodes

Past Time is a podcast that explores how we know what we know about the past. There's a special focus on the fossil record - it is hosted by two paleontologists - but delving into the story of the past isn't limited to dry bones. Today's paleontologists use techniques drawn from other sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Geology, and Biology to figure out what extinct animals were like and how they lived.

Whether you are just starting to learn about the amazing animals that have called this planet home, or you have been fascinated by fossils for a long time, we hope you will join us as we dig into past times.

Keywords: Paleontology, Dinosaurs, Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Animals, Fossils, Extinction

Past Time Matt Borths, Adam Pritchard, Catherine Early

    • Science
    • 4.7 • 92 Ratings

Past Time is a podcast that explores how we know what we know about the past. There's a special focus on the fossil record - it is hosted by two paleontologists - but delving into the story of the past isn't limited to dry bones. Today's paleontologists use techniques drawn from other sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Geology, and Biology to figure out what extinct animals were like and how they lived.

Whether you are just starting to learn about the amazing animals that have called this planet home, or you have been fascinated by fossils for a long time, we hope you will join us as we dig into past times.

Keywords: Paleontology, Dinosaurs, Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Animals, Fossils, Extinction

    Episode 34 – March of the Trilobites

    Episode 34 – March of the Trilobites

    Of Collective Behavior and Trilobites Reading scientific papers can be a daunting prospect. Even the titles can contain layers of jargon. On Past Time, we work diligently to break down the barriers of science to make the discoveries of science for audiences of all ages. In this episode, we experiment with a new method: breaking […]

    • 18 min
    Story of the Sloth

    Story of the Sloth

    PAST TIME RETURNS! After three and a half months of discovering how insanely busy a museum curator can be, I (Adam) am back to past times with a brand new episode of Past Time! Join me on a journey back to the Smithsonian Institution to learn about the whole history of sloths. We’ll also meet RYAN […]

    • 37 min
    Episode 32 – The Changing Face of Crocodiles

    Episode 32 – The Changing Face of Crocodiles

    Episode 32 – The Changing Face of Crocodiles INTRODUCTION TO GROWING UP – Every living thing grows up, and this episode of “Past Time” explores the evolution of the growing process. Specifically, we explore the evolution of growth in crocodiles, and how changes to the growing process at the earliest stages of crocodile development help […]

    • 24 min
    First Frogs of the Age of Dinosaurs

    First Frogs of the Age of Dinosaurs

    THE FIRST FROGS OF NORTH AMERICA Every discovery we make in natural history happens thanks to specimens. Fossil bones, shells, footprints, coprolites, tissue samples—even field notes and photograms—are the building blocks scientists use to tell the story of life on our planet. On Past Time, we talk a LOT about the contributions of museums and […]

    • 11 min
    Episode 30 – SVP Recap, guest-starring I KNOW DINO

    Episode 30 – SVP Recap, guest-starring I KNOW DINO

    Meeting of the Minds There is no bigger paleontology conference for fans of dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, birds, fishes, and reptiles than the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting. The 78th annual meeting just took place this October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA and Matt, Adam, and Catherine were in attendance. They learned about a lot […]

    • 26 min
    Episode 29 – First of the Four-Footed Giant Dinosaurs!

    Episode 29 – First of the Four-Footed Giant Dinosaurs!

    Ledumahadi and the first dinosaur giants The sauropod dinosaurs—the classic long-necks—included the largest land animal species that have ever lived. Throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous, multiple families of sauropods achieved body masses over 50 tons: greater than any modern elephant and even exceeding the colossal indricothere rhinoceroses. Despite their incredible sizes, the sauropod dinosaurs have […]

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
92 Ratings

92 Ratings

Factory Rat ,

Wonderful!

This podcast is very well produced and dense with information. It respects your time, which is important when you digest a lot of podcasts. The content is dignified without being boring. I am listening to every old episode and I will probably replay many of them, as well.
Great work, guys!

Mireya22 ,

I love it!!!!

I love this podcast! It explains in very great details! But reason why I’m not rating it 5 stars is because I can’t listen to all of the podcast. Some episodes are locked. I don’t know if that’s just happening to me, but the episodes I am able to listen to I love. I love paleontology and dinosaurs!

--egdelthur-- ,

This My past time

i love the format! i like how the details are given...i'm so listening to everything

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