Not sure what to think of this, but here is a thought. Let´s say elephants or mastodons did live in the territory today called the United States during historical times (but before Columbus). Would it be possible to prove this in any other way than through Native stories or art?
After all, the elephantids wouldn´t fossilize, but nor would their soft tissues be preserved (as in the case of mammoths in the Arctic). Or am I wrong? But if I´m right, the purported eye-witness accounts and traditions is all the evidence we ever gonna get.
And that isn´t entirely conclusive...
The article was a fascinating story. It seems probable, logical and supported by Amerindian storytelling which seems not to rely on flights of fancy but oral tradition passed on by the elders. If Mastodons, remains of which have been found, existed in North America, why not variant species adapted to warmer climates like the Great Plains ?
ReplyDeleteAs a corollary, this author has compiled an *Ecologic History* of North America that further boggles the mind...as usual the commentary/reviews explain the trajectory of the theories therein.
https://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Frontier-Ecological-History-America/dp/0802138888#customerReviews
Interesting! It struck me that perhaps the existence or non-existence of recent mastodonts could be inferred from the ecological record? Provided their population was large enough to make a relevant difference. Say, you find remains of plants that shouldn´t exist...unless gigantic proboscids were around!
ReplyDeleteApparently Flannery has done the same for the European continent, which I have not read yet, didn't know of it until today.
Deletehttps://www.amazon.com/Europe-Natural-History-Tim-Flannery/dp/0802148700/ref=d_pd_sbs_sccl_4_1/137-5925623-5978862?pd_rd_w=ZhcM0&content-id=amzn1.sym.7a9b9953-4675-430a-a4f6-ea3f74308c2f&pf_rd_p=7a9b9953-4675-430a-a4f6-ea3f74308c2f&pf_rd_r=EDFX6DY9TR1W4KD02MNT&pd_rd_wg=lLdrq&pd_rd_r=5c47bb5e-c893-4e58-8661-03f0a7263487&pd_rd_i=0802148700&psc=1#customerReviews
The first two reviews above of 'Europe: A Natural History' abound with more interesting criticisms. Not unlike why I followed a certain Ashtar Commander years ago, one could delve into subjects unexplored just by reading the commentary.
DeleteYes, I saw it on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThe "feminist" review and criticism is interesting, the "pro-mass immigration" one less so. Didn´t know that the paleobeetle record is now a political issue?! Maybe the guy who wrote it should be more careful, since a conservative might easily turn the argument about constant change against him: "Well, why worry about the so-called climate crisis, things are always changing, it was even warmer millions of years ago"?
ReplyDeleteOh, and what´s the reviewers take on North America, where the Native population was genocided by the White Europeans? "Change always happen"?
ReplyDeleteI think I'll form a new band called Paleobeetle!
ReplyDeleteOr maybe the Pleistocenes would be closer to home.
Fun entertainment: watching amateur shows like Iceland's Got Talent, Denmark's Got Talent etc. and yes you tube has Golden Buzzers from 2021 Sweden's Got Talent! Who knew?
DeleteYes, I think there was a Hare Krishna hardcore punk band called "The Cro-Mags". Yet, the Hare Krishna deny evolution?!
ReplyDeleteIceland´s Got Talent almost sounds a bit paleo...
ReplyDeleteRockin' Reykjavik !
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