The Hindu : New Delhi News : A feel of the real Jurassic

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Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
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New Delhi

A feel of the real Jurassic

Madhur Tankha

FRESH INSIGHT: A still from National Geographic Channel’s upcoming series on the biggest dino discoveries.

NEW DELHI: Turning the spotlight on two of the most important dinosaur discoveries in recent times is National Geographic Channel’s brand new series premiering on December 24. “The Real Jurassic” reveals new information that will fill in a virtual black hole in dinosaur evolution.

In “Dino Autopsy” airing on December 24, top palaeontologists in the U.S. uncover the rocky tomb of the 67-million-year-old dinosaur Dakota, one of the most complete dino mummies ever found. With the use of a giant CT scanner, scientists attempt to peer inside this preserved body and tail in one of the largest scans ever attempted.

Offering groundbreaking revelations, including the discovery of new species of dinosaurs and unusual insights into their lives is “Dino Death Trap” that goes on air on December 25. It will travel to ‘Pit of Death’ in China, where skeletons have been found stacked one on top of the other including T-Rex’s great-great grandfather Guanlong. The episode will unravel how the skeletons ended up together, frozen in time for 160 million years, and what killed Guanlong and its unfortunate cohorts.

Taking a peek into a fire-breathing predator that has haunted humankind’s imagination since time immemorial is “Quest for Dragons”, which is to be aired on December 26.

“Super Predators” on December 27 will take a look into prehistoric Australia. For palaeontologist Steve Wroe, prehistoric Australia was a unique habitat where nature was at its peak in tooth and claw; a harsh world dominated by a whole range of fantastic creatures he calls super predators. Now Wroe is on a quest to prove his theory. Using new forensic techniques combined with spectacular state-of-the-art computer graphics, he aims to bring these ancient creatures to life; and to reveal the secrets of Australia’s super predators.

Offering a profile of the natural history of pterosaurs by examining the work of some leading palaeontologist is “Sky Monsters” that will be aired on December 28.

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