Dr. Caldwell Buntin: Drone Dinosaur Discovery, Photogrammetry, VR, Geology, Mars, De-Extinction
Description
Rogers “Caldwell” Buntin is a researcher, lecturer, and drone pilot who received his Ph.D. in Ocean & Earth Sciences from Old Dominion University. He specializes in interpreting subtle fossilized traces that reveal how dinosaurs interacted with their environments.
He joins Ellis Malmgren to explain his recent discovery at Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado; an apparent 100-million-year-old “dinosaur dance floor,” a site covered in intricate scrape marks and depressions made by theropods performing courtship displays. Using drones and high-resolution imaging, Buntin and his team interpreted these features as evidence of mating rituals, offering a rare glimpse into dinosaur social behavior and reshaping how scientists think about life in the Cretaceous.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:26 Dinosaur Ridge Discovery
01:27 Drone Photogrammetry and Field Work
04:07 Courtship Scrapes and Theories
18:40 Challenges and Logistical Hurdles
33:53 Emerging Technologies in Paleontology
50:02 Digitized Samples and Field Visualization
51:18 Communication and Collaboration in Research
52:10 Adoption and Resistance to New Technologies
54:17 3D Scanning and Its Potential
56:01 Artificial General Intelligence in Geology
57:42 Integrating Technology in Education
01:14:08 Challenges and Misconceptions in Field Work
01:16:47 Mentorship and Influences
01:19:51 Drone Piloting and Photography
01:27:41 Life Beyond Earth
01:34:15 Public Reach and De-Extinction
01:39:20 GIS and NASA Internship
01:43:03 Future Plans and Conclusion
United States
