Revolution in Dinosaur Science Based on New Discoveries in China

In the new book, UNEARTHING THE DRAGON: THE GREAT FEATHERED DINOSAUR DISCOVERY, Mark Norell, Chair and Curator, Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, leads the biggest revolution in our understanding of dinosaur origins that has occurred in our generation—dinosaurs are no longer thought of as lizards so much as birds. The transformation can be seen by comparing the first "Jurassic Park" movie with its leathery dinosaurs to the recent reconstructions in the BBC series "Walking with Dinosaurs in America," in which they appear as warm-blooded and feathered, attending to their young and brooding their nests. This transformation in popular culture is based on excavations at one profoundly important site in China: Liaoning. Norell has explored the region repeatedly over the last decade and now tells the definitive story of those discoveries.

UNEARTHING THE DRAGON is a look at how we develop new scientific ideas, and how discovering fossils of incredible organisms is the everyday work of dinosaur science," according to Norell. He continues, "Unlike any other project I have been involved in, this book demanded to be written—it wasn't planned—I didn't go to China to seek the experiences I had." He concludes, "Mick and I just fell into it because we were fascinated by the fossils and the landscape, and we were addicted to the people and their culture."

UNEARTHING THE DRAGON reveals the science and culture surrounding this profound discovery by:"¢ A real-life offbeat Indiana Jones dinosaur hunter adventure to the hinterland of China."¢ Establishing the dramatic change in our understanding of dinosaur origins, based on new fossil discoveries in China reported by the leading U.S. researcher in a personal account of his adventures there."¢ 100 beautiful color photos by Mick Ellison

UNEARTHING THE DRAGON is also a highly personalized account of being in a foreign land with a very different history of science, culture, and everyday social behavior. Norell tells how fossils are often collected by peasants, not researchers, and how local Chinese officials are often more swayed by noble and vigorous drinking sessions than reasoned argument. He relates how photographer Mick Ellison gets into various kinds of trouble as Norell navigates the pair forward through a strange world--and leads readers to a magical world of feathered dinosaurs revealed in the Liaoning formation.

The publication of UNEARTHING THE DRAGON coincides with author's major museum exhibition opening at the AMNH May 14, 2005, which will be touring major museums around the country.

About the AuthorMark Norell, is Chair and Curator, Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History. In the Fall of 2004, he published two major research papers on Nature on feathered dinosaurs, and has previously published extensively in academic journals. His research has been reported in the national media including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Scientific American.

More Praise for UNEARTHING THE DRAGON"Reads like Redmond O'Hanlon goes fossil-hunting in China. But that is where the resemblance stops, for Mark Norell is a master paleontologist and the fossils are some of the most wonderful and important ever found."

—Alan Walker, FRS, Professor of Biological Anthropology and Biology Penn State, author of The Wisdom of Bones"Captures the sights, the sounds-even the smells-of a hard-working, hard-playing surf-dude paleontologist on the fossil trail. Rex and drugs and rock'n'roll!"

—Dr. Henry Gee, Senior Editor, Biological Sciences, Nature"Enlightening and entertaining. Norell's knowledge of fossils and his passion for Chinese culture merge in this eminently readable account of one of the most important paleontological breakthroughs of the last century."

—Neil H. Shubin, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago

UNEARTHING THE DRAGON: THE GREAT FEATHERED DINOSAUR DISCOVERYMark A. NorellPhotographs by Mick EllisonPi PressJune 10, 2005$30.00, Hardcover, 7 x 10, 256 Pages100 Color PhotographsISBN 0131862669