David Gillette
Encyclopedia
David Gillette is an American
paleontologist best known for his discovery of the dinosaur Diplodocus hallorum
. At the time of its discovery, Diplodocus was the longest dinosaur
known.
in May 1985. Thinking that this was a dinosaur unknown to science, Gillette began comparing the dinosaur bone
s he found to other dinosaur bones. These tests took Gillette more than a year to complete. After carefully analyzing the results, he confirmed his hypothesis
, and presented the results in a press conference at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He gave the new dinosaur the name Seismosaurus hallorum, or "earth shaker." The name was later changed, however, to Diplodocus hallorum. He later submitted a report to the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology that was a summary of his discovery, which was published two years later, after peer review
by other paleontologists.
In 1993, Gillette published his book, Seismosaurus: The Earth Shaker, about the dinosaur he discovered. It was published by Columbia University Press and illustrated by Mark Hallett. The book was re-printed in paperback in 1999.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
paleontologist best known for his discovery of the dinosaur Diplodocus hallorum
Diplodocus
Diplodocus , or )is a genus of diplodocid sauropod dinosaur whose fossils were first discovered in 1877 by S. W. Williston. The generic name, coined by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1878, is a Neo-Latin term derived from Greek "double" and "beam", in reference to its double-beamed chevron bones...
. At the time of its discovery, Diplodocus was the longest dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
known.
Gillette's Diplodocus hallorum discovery
Gillette found eight huge bones of the Diplodocus in northwestern New MexicoNew Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
in May 1985. Thinking that this was a dinosaur unknown to science, Gillette began comparing the dinosaur bone
Bone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
s he found to other dinosaur bones. These tests took Gillette more than a year to complete. After carefully analyzing the results, he confirmed his hypothesis
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
, and presented the results in a press conference at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He gave the new dinosaur the name Seismosaurus hallorum, or "earth shaker." The name was later changed, however, to Diplodocus hallorum. He later submitted a report to the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology that was a summary of his discovery, which was published two years later, after peer review
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
by other paleontologists.
In 1993, Gillette published his book, Seismosaurus: The Earth Shaker, about the dinosaur he discovered. It was published by Columbia University Press and illustrated by Mark Hallett. The book was re-printed in paperback in 1999.