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Bone Wars: The Rivalry That Rewrote Dinosaur History
Episode 144

Bone Wars: The Rivalry That Rewrote Dinosaur History

Two rival palaeontologists wage a reckless scientific arms race that transforms dinosaur history. This episode reveals how sabotage, obsession, and discovery collided in the infamous Bone Wars.

The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

December 30, 20251h 7m

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Show Notes

A bitter rivalry spirals out of control as two palaeontologists race to outdo each other and rewrite the story of the dinosaurs.

This episode explores the Bone Wars, the feud between Edward Cope and Othniel Marsh that pushed American palaeontology to new heights and embarrassing lows. From sabotage and rivalry to genuine scientific breakthroughs, we trace how their obsession uncovered extraordinary fossils while nearly destroying their reputations.

Topics include

  • The Cope and Marsh rivalry
  • Sabotage within early palaeontology
  • Landmark dinosaur discoveries
  • Scientific mistakes and rushed publications
  • The long-term impact on dinosaur research

Resources and Further Reading

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Topics

fossil excavationwestern fossil rushscientific rivalrydinosaur historytriceratopsmuseum dinosaursgreat dinosaur rushdiplodocusstegosaurusbone warsdinosaur discoverieshistory of scienceedward copefossil hunterspalaeontology feuddinosaur rivalryamerican palaeontologycope and marshgilded age scienceothniel marsh