In Search of Fossil Fish

Wherein we go on a fishing trip for 52-million year old fossils! The first in a series about the excavation of Fossil Lake, Wyoming.
Check out "Lost World of Fossil Lake: Snapshots from Deep Time," by Lance Grande bit.ly/1p79CXv
Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World, by Lance Grande: bit.ly/1dr59GM
Big thanks to The Field Museum's Lance Grande, Jim Holstein, and Akiko Shinya for their assistance in making this video series possible.
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NEW BLOG! / isnotadinosaur
Subreddit: / thebrainscoop
Facebook: / thebrainscoop
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Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie
Producer, Editor, Camera:
Tom McNamara
Theme music:
Michael Aranda
Created By:
Hank Green
Special Guest:
Jim Holstein
Production Assistant:
Katie Kirby
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Filmed on Location and Supported by:
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
(www.fieldmuseum.org)
Because they did translations for this episode, Tony Chu, Katerina Idrik, and Seth Bergenholtz have got us: hook, line, and sinker.

[@m3grim]

Anyone else feel like they could watch a solid hour of fossil fishing like this?

[@TheAAMoy]

With Emily's participation and running commentary, YES!!!

[@TheAAMoy]

JJ Klaus Someone please hunt down this JJ and take away the keyboard of stupidity used to create this shyte.

[@NNTorious]

JJ Klaus I don't condone your behaviour but this got me a good laugh. We should be free to say what we like without being put down. If Emily doesn't like it she can defend herself. I feel scared to comment on KZbin or social media without fear of verbal assault. #freespeech

[@Will140f]

Norris Thomas: you, sir, are a dunce for liking what that guy said. Freedoms don't come in to this. This is pure asshattery versus common decency.

[@Goblin_Mom]

JJ Klaus You honestly think you're not being vile here by objectifying her and then just carelessly throwing misogynistic criticism at her? I am so glad that most of the people here understand that you're being a scumbag; you don't see people coming together to tell off creeps like you very often in KZbin comments, I've gained respect for the majority of her fan base here.

[@bbcearth]

Lovely to see you out on location, Emily!

[@JustinCase807]

Hello brits 😉

[@oddzag]

I feel like with every episode this show's style becomes ever more Wes Anderson in style! Central framing! Prominent text! Classical music!

[@pad92011]

Does anyone else think Emily has the best job ever?

[@ragnkja]

Of course! Her job is literally _to be curious_, which is the most awesome thing ever.

[@Yoohooo654]

Me

[@biofungus]

I know your job generally requires you to stay at the museum, but it's nice to see an "on site" video like this once in awhile.

[@margaretguillory]

If you take a nap next to the rock, will you be sleeping with the fishes?

[@unvergebeneid]

Dunno, but I'm totally digging this video.

[@Shoofleed]

These puns rock.

[@thebrainscoop]

Jack Oliver Once you get the schist of them, it's pretty easy to uncover more geology puns...

[@Alleighs]

I want to hammer out another pun but every one I think of is shimy

[@thebrainscoop]

Alleigh Kat Don't be too hard on yourself, your sedimental efforts aren't in vein!

[@ljmastertroll]

The role of mystery feet was a revelation to me.

[@vampkimi]

This episode was so unbelievably cool! I could watch a whole hour of this ancient "fishing" XD Love this channel so much! Thanks for sharing this awesome experience with us Emily! You've got a sweet job there.

[@MrLokilis]

Thanks for sharing this with us Emily! That was really awesome to watch.

[@icemancad]

this is probably my favorite video in terms of how informative, hands on, and 'nice' (everyone seemed to enjoy themselves) it was. This seemed like a LOT of fun.

[@JohnBare747]

Field Trip!!! Great stuff Emily really enjoyed this little jaunt off the beaten track.

[@PhilGartman]

I started watching this show thinking it would mostly be done within the museum itself and that would have been great. This takes it to a whole new level. It reminds me of fossil hunting with my uncle more than 30 years ago. This is so cool!

[@narc0manic]

Field trip and excavation videos are probably my favourites. It's great to see how the museums not only preserve the collections they already have, but constantly add to those collections.

[@SciJoy]

I love that we get to see the variety of awesome jobs out there. Thank so much for sharing.

[@mrpotatoheadmonster]

Ahhhh! I love that since the start you've evolved (hehe see the word choice) into this amazing channel that goes all over to educate the world on science. Also, I love that you live in the same place as me and I can say that I go to the museum you work at... but ya, you imspire me and I'm guessing many others with the work you do sooooo KEEP IT UP

[@scott98390]

WHAT'S THE DEAL?!?! If yer gonna name the shims, ya gotta name the shovels.

[@HamzaSayedAli]

I'd name my shovels Clarice and Phillipo.

[@Lauraphoid]

Sybille?

[@13mjunky]

Hahahahaha spade

[@Acquavallo]

I rally LOVE the new asterisc footnoty thing in the videos! It' amazing and perfect and e beat thing ever

[@nathanong]

Hands down one of my favorite episode of The Brain Scoop. I love the Green River Formation!

[@SM-Flyers]

Cool Video Emily! Seeing the field work and having it explained is really awesome! You are a great science communicator!

[@convinceingvince]

This was a nice change of pace from being in the museum setting. It would be cool to learn the different collection processes and how some of the other items in the museum make their way to Chicago.

[@sarahfitzgerald7164]

I loved this! I would be really interested in seeing more episodes with the students too.

[@TPPMac1]

Great episode Emily. I could watch this stuff for hours!

[@talideon]

'[...] Is a lot like what modern Florida is today'? Which is to say, full of fossils? :-)

[@HamzaSayedAli]

I think she was referencing the wildlife.

[@talideon]

Yes, I know.I was also referring to the fact that Florida is a popular retirement location. That was the joke.

[@yo388]

Clap, clap good sir. You win a thumbs up. Also, please make a video pronouncing your name.

[@HamzaSayedAli]

Oh wow. I'm smart. Lol.

[@xwinqpilot808]

Really informative and interesting! Look forward to future field trip videos! :-)

[@argusaltair6395]

Amazing how in all the toxicity of youtube, you find incredible channels like this one. Teaching people is great.

[@jebus6kryst]

I've just spent the last nine days digging in New Mexico, and I am still jealous of what you're doing.

[@ThugMuffinification]

I have to agree with many of the other comments, I find this fascinating and really could watch an hour long video of this... Or watch videos on it all day lol. Its just so cool to see creatures that were here so so long before us, and to try to imagine what the world looked like for them. We live in an incredible place with an equally incredible history

[@locolobos0035]

Very cool!! I love that archaeologists and paleontologists can identify the species they work with so quickly. You must become so familiar with the common species even though you're only seeing their fossils and not any other clues.

[@chicklovesmusic]

It was oddly relaxing watching footage of getting the fish out. I'd totally be down for an extended cut of this episode or cut scenes or something along those lines.

[@TheAAMoy]

I also like how this was very LOW on the gross meter and very HIGH on the enthusiasm meter!

[@unvergebeneid]

True, dead animals get less gross if you put them in the ground for a couple million years ;)

[@MatthewSmith-sz1yq]

It's actually pretty gross for me, I put things into perspective. Dead, day old fish are kinda gross. Now they add fish that have been decomposing for millions of years. Million year old, rotten fish. Mhm.

[@troberts1]

This should be Part 1 of many! I'd love to be there fossil fishing. :)

[@ryPish]

Future BrainScoop videos need more jumping Emily :3

[@hifromthestudio]

Looks like you had a fun time Emily! I could have never known that you haven't done it before. Can't wait for the future episodes regarding what you did that day:D

[@mariannemcnamara8054]

Fascinating episode. So cool to film "on location!"

[@sewlivi]

I wanted to see more. It looks like so much fun!

[@digitalWinds]

This must have been an amazing field trip to be on in person. Does anyone else listen to the end and think that it is sometimes amazing that KZbin still has amazing brains on it like this. (and yes, I know there are lots of smart youtubers)

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

This is absolutely fascinating! I have never been so intrigued by an episode of the BrainScoop! Did you guys do more filming there? I wanna see MORE!

[@JimmySlaughter]

Cool video, Emily! I hope the Field Museum is able to send you out on more trips, like this one, soon! Also, thanks for thinking of ME, when you named your shim. ;-)

[@mikelakner5622]

You always appear to be joyous, thank you.

[@-cosmicrogue-]

This episode rocked. ...but seriously, I dig Paleontology.

[@TinyLittleElise]

This is delightful! I'm excited for more!

[@xdanniex92x]

i wish i had a job like yours. it looks like an amazing educational experience!

[@KiddsockTV]

awesome! Looking back in time.

[@Will140f]

I love these remote segments. Like when Emily collected bugs with that guy. That was great too. More of these type of vids would be amazing :)

[@jhangelgurl]

Great video! This makes me wish even more I could do something like this.

[@Fralmunk]

Gah looks like so much fun! So jealous of Emily's job, but I am so thankful that thebrainscoop exists so I can live vicariously through these lovely people!

[@NobleKale]

Woah woah, let's talk about this mini horse - what was it called?

[@SirCharles12357]

Eohippus

[@EasterWitch]

That looks so fun! The only thing I found when I helped out on a archeology sight was some ceramics and some bones.

[@nerdfighteremma]

AH so cool! Love behind-the-scenes-ish stuff like this. :)

[@realspacemodels]

This sure beats what I have planned for vacation this year!

[@aleksterziev]

This is so cool :D Can you please show us more of the trip?

[@PupitoManuel]

Emily, I love you!!! I can be all day listening to all your awesome knowledge and cute way of teaching it! You are amazing, keep it up!

[@HayleyBarrickman]

I didn't think this would be so interesting, but it was totally awesome! I wasn't aware how fossils were taken out of rocks. It's a lot less sterile feeling than I expected.

[@Azurowiec]

Archeology: the less boring form of fishing, apparently.

[@TheHumbleBeez]

Actually archeology refers to the study of humans of the past, the study of prehistoric and extinct animals is paleontology. Since fish are vertebrates, this would more specifically be referred to as vertebrate paleontology. Although he did mention bacteria, and although the eocene ocean was teaming with new and interesting vertebrate life, like early whales and new kinds of sharks, there was also quite a bit of invertebrate life, so simple paleontology might be your best bet in this situation.

[@Azurowiec]

***** +TheHumbleBeez Actually, I'm refering to the well known and respected theory that fish are pretty much swimming humans and am not just making excuses for making a silly little mistake no siree

[@8happyperson]

Azurowiec i would have said archaeology as well but thanks ***** TheHumbleBeez

[@My2ndnephew]

Azurowiec Hahahhaaa!

[@ClockworkGriffin]

Azurowiec Still wrong. Archaeology is the study of past life through their material culture. When you see for instance an Australopithecus dig, that technically is "Paleoanthropology." These swimming fish needed to have tools to make it Archaeology.

[@dinologue]

No better way to spend the summer, than surrounded by fossils!

[@sneebo1]

Always wondered what digging up fossils was *actually* like (only got Jurassic Park as a reference...), now I know! Informative and fun and all-round excellent stuff :D

[@JoyLyte]

Looks like a lot of work..and a lot of fun!!

[@Matt-vv7fl]

that looks like a lot of fun!

[@vlad1972]

Great video! Really well done, very instructive. I will share it with my daughter, as one of teh ways to make her to be interested in science.

[@BeneathMyWillowTree]

This was such a good episode! :)

[@juanborjas6416]

I am loving the Baroque music on the background.

[@haleydriscoll5615]

I love the style of these videos... kind of reminds me of a wes anderson film!

[@TheSH1N1GAM1]

There are some who call me . . . Tim . . . the shim.

[@cathy26]

I've been there! Several years ago my family took a trip out west and we got to look for fish fossils and got to take 10 home with us.

[@ElJefeGrande123]

Looks like so much fun.

[@My2ndnephew]

Emily, what a cool job you have!!

[@chicoarraes]

that looks like sunburn in the making

[@kazoosc]

I have seen lots of 'plates' with fish and plants and such -- interesting to see the process used to free them from the surrounding matrix. did not realize it was such a small slice of time. i imagined it was various bands of sediment overlaying one another, representing different time periods.

[@OneUpdateataTime]

That looks fun! The downside is how much sunscreen I would need the constantly lather on to work in an environment like that.

[@JellybellyWaffles]

I watched all of the "thebrainscoop"... Now I don't know what to do.

[@EcoCurious]

Watch it all over again!! :D

[@Hypatia4242]

Have you heard of Numberphile or Sixty Symbols? They are interviews with college professors about math and chemistry. Just as fun! (Not as geek-chic as Emily, but it has the same vibe to it.)

[@pendlera2959]

Watch some free college lectures! YaleCourses is a good channel.

[@mooxim]

5:54 He totally could have said "hammer time" right there. It would have made my day.

[@cooperolm9687]

Wow, I am so jealous! I spent the weekend fossil hunting, but the tiny sand dollars I found in river stones don't compare to fish! I am pretty sure I have never found a vertebrate.

[@archaeopteryx9458]

ok, dude, your videos are the best

[@seanduff8878]

Great video. I love paleontology, especially uncovering an entire ecosystem one specimen at a time...

[@johnclavis]

This was great. Emily rules. I'd love to see more of this expedition! You know who I can imagine really enjoying doing this? Adam Savage from Mythbusters!

[@oddrey52]

I loved this episode!

[@TheSciGuys]

I know of an easier way to find fish...you just need to call out "Here Fishy Fishy Fishy!!" I loved this episode. It's really great when episodes are filmed out in the field.

[@8happyperson]

I love this topic in science, one of the most interesting ones.

[@punos909]

A Brain Scoop field trip?? But, but, my parents never signed a permission slip! D:

[@krezzybot]

This is fascinating! I've never seen specifically how paleontologists/archaeologists work!

[@davidshi451]

You should also check out the ANHM channel, one of their employees shows his work while recording with Google Glass!

[@ClockworkGriffin]

This looks nothing like Archaeology, this way too disorganized.

[@krezzybot]

David Shi Cool, thanks!

[@andrewfleenor7459]

I love how Jim gets through rowing an imaginary boat with a straight face, but Emily breaks him with "Jim the Shim".

[@13mjunky]

You're very lucky to be digging on the Butte. Not many people get that pleasure XD unless you were working up north of it.

[@samadk14]

This was really neat!

[@rainydaylady6596]

Emily you have the best job in the world!

[@WarLarkGamer]

MORE FIELD TRIPS.

[@john-alanpascoe5848]

Really cool to see this field trip! Are you continually tripping over fossils so to speak, or did it take you a while before you found one you could excavate one for the video?

[@LangeE612]

This was really cool!

[@TwinkTwinkle]

This is really cool! I went to Jurassic Coast in England, we didn't find any fossils but the local shops were full of them! (Hundreds and hundreds of them!)

[@BigLou5959]

I’m jealous Emily! I’ve always dreamt of going out on an expedition like that.

[@Hecatonicosachoron]

So... interesting (I wish i had a better word to describe it) It probably won't happen, but it would be so cool to have a series of videos on excavations...

[@EcoCurious]

Aaghhhh this is ssoooo cooooool! I have a teeny tiny fossil collection but now I really want more :P

[@skeevy17]

I would like to see even more fishes!

[@diadu6]

It's great to see actual excavation at work.

[@instonefossils698]

I've referred people to this video in the past because it's a fun explanation. Thanks

[@chillsahoy2640]

The sedimentary layers are that flat and smooth? Amazing! I always thought they might be a bit more uneven.

[@thebrainscoop]

Conditions at the time were so impeccably ideal that everything was preserved in perfectly flat sedimentary layers. In the next episode, we talk about how unlikely and perfect all of the different elements had to be in order for this pristine type of preservation to occur. Stay tuned!

[@bsinger182]

***** I'm looking forward to it!

[@chillsahoy2640]

***** Thanks for the response! Sounds like a great episode, I'll keep an eye on my subscription box for when it comes out.

[@GodofReapers]

I think that has to do with the limestone and the way the site works. I think excavation is usually a lot more delicate. It'd be super-cool to do this!

[@brianferris1233]

Nice finds.

[@SafariLtd]

Oh wow! We love Fossils!

[@BattleManiac7]

One of my favorite videos on this channel, kinda cool if you think about how the fish she found will be put in the museum's collection and may one day, maybe even after anyone who reads this comment is long gone, be used for scientific research.

[@bryceandrew13]

If I couldn't be a writer, I'd be a paleontologist. Watching Jurassic Park everyday after school in the third grade had a big impact on me and my love for biology (especially dinosaurs, which I still nerd over to this day).

[@r.b.4611]

Great video.