Wednesday, October 20, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Paleontologist finds life in old bones
By Scott Kirsch
By Scott Kirsch Special to the Kansan
For some people, the word "dinosaur" conjures up images of popcorn and cinematic terror. But for Dave Burnham, dinosaurs are simply a wav of life.
Burnham, a paleontologist who began work at the Natural History Museum in September 1998, has known what he wanted to do ever since he was a kid — dig up dinosaurs.
Paleontologist Dave Burnham brushes off the long arm bone of a Camarasaur at the Paleontology lab in Dyche Hall. Work began on the set of four Camarasaur skeletons last October. Bones will be on display at the Natural History Museum beginning in 2000. Photo by Jay Sheepard/KANSAN
"He's one of the best dinosaur preparators in the world," said Tom Swearingen, exhibits director at the museum. "If we were to pick anyone in the world to do his job, he'd be the one."
Burnham was involved in the discovery of a Tyrannosaurus rex in 1992, which inspired him to form his own company two years later.
From that discovery, Burnham said, "I developed a research program, or technique, in which to build the best and most accurate replicas of Tyrannosaurus rex."
Burnham's technique was honed and perfected, and now the replicas are sold around the world. They are available in many sizes and will fit anywhere from a school to a museum to a living room
Burnham's interest in dinosaur fossils originated with his father, a geologist. Burnham accompanied his father on digs and also went prospecting and hiking with him. From those adventures he was born a strong desire to become a paleontologist.
"There aren't really too many positions available in paleontology." Burnham said. "You really have to carve your own niche."
Burnham began carving his niche at the University of New Orleans, where he studied geology and paleontology. At New Orleans, he learned that paleontologists are required to take a lot of pre-medical and anatomy courses — courses which have
contributed strongly Burpham's expertise.
Burnham's thesis discussed a new species of Mosasaurus he had discovered. A Mosasaur hangs from the ceiling at the entrance of the history museum.
After finishing his degree, Burnham was offered a position at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research in South Dakota. He took the job and began work there in the summer of 1991.
However, the big excitement occurred in 1992, when the Institute dug up the Tyrannosaurus rex that eventually led to the founding of Burnham's company.
Another highlight for his company was the discovery of a Triceratops. The fossils were found articulated, which means that all of the bones still were connected, a rarity in the field, Burnham said.
His company also has done studies on a baby Velociraptor, which was discovered and contributed to his company by a little boy in Montana. The boy's family did dinosaur digs on the weekend for fun, and the boy made a discovery that would make most paleontologists ecstatic.
More than 5,000 microscope hours were spent studying the Velociraptor, from which at least two major discoveries were made. The first was proof that the Velociraptor had the largest brain of any of the dinosaurs.
"You know that scene in Jurassic Park where the raptors figured out how to open doors?" Burnham said. "Well, that's pretty accurate. They probably could."
The second discovery was that the Velociraptor could be the missing link in dinosaur bird evolution. Burnham is writing a manuscript for publication about the subject.
Although his company had been successful, Burnham decided to take on another challenge — he
accepted a job at the University of Kansas.
"This is one of the top paleontology institutions in the world," Burnham said. "It's ranked sixth in the U.S., even above Yale."
Burnham's biggest project now is the reconstruction of a Camarasaur, found in Wyoming last year by a KU field crew. The Camarasaur, which the crew nicknamed Anabel, is 60-feet long and should be mounted on the fifth floor of the Museum by next year.
"He brought a lot of skill into the foot molding of the Camaraasaur, and he pretty much brought in a lot of techniques." Maltese said.
Anthony Maltese, dinosaur lab preparator, said Burnham's skills added a lot to the project.
"Paleontology is just like detective work," Burnham said. "The present is a key to the past." And, just like any good detective, Burnham always gets his dinosaur.
Edited by Allan Davis
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