T-Rex at the University of Utah Museum of Natural History from my visit.

For some time now, I have wanted to buy, or build, or invent some sort of “Time Line Device” that I can mount on one of my walls at home. It might have several time lines to display; Nature from the start of time, Humans from the start of time, History time lines, Technology time lines, or even the development of chocolate from its origin to present day.

I’ll admit that when I’m reading, I can often get distracted in wondering where and what else is happening in nature, or history, or evolution as the piece I am engaged in. Obviously, the further back in time, the more murky things get. How old are humans? How old are sharks? How old is Aspirin? As if I don’t get confused and derailed enough in my own present thoughts.

Nowhere do time lines get me more confused then when I’m trying to figure out when the earth had dinosaurs. As science tells us, there were several eras that dinosaurs existed so I want to throw out a few observations, questions and answers, and scientific tidbits about prehistoric time frames. I’ll base this on generally-accepted science, and what is considered to be factual, with some pop culture thrown in for fun.

1. Q-Did people and dinosaurs live at the same time?

A-From the United States Geological Survey USGS;

NO! A common belief. After the dinosaurs died out, nearly 65 million years passed before people appeared on Earth. 65 Million!!!! (Tell them Anno Domani)

2. Q-Little children LOVE, LOVE, LOVE dinosaurs. What is their favorite?

A. T-REX! It’s always T-REX………..Whether I’m talking to my niece and nephews or meeting parents in the Natural History Museum. BTW, I’m talking Tyrannosaurus Rex with rex meaning King ; not the musician from the early 1970’s. I always thought the Brontosaurs was one of the coolest dinosaurs….well, for a vegetarian anyway!

3. Q-How cool is the Museum of Natural History at the University of Utah?

A-So cool in fact, that it was worth taking a day off from skiing just to see it! There are bone reconstructions of dinosaurs, videos, exhibits, and a large window where you can actually view paleontologists cleaning, sorting, and organizing dinosaurs bones from dig recoveries. There are sections for Geology, Weather, and exhibits on DNA and RNA, which is far beyond my comprehension, but left me standing there trying to soak in as much as I could.

The Dinosaurs that we envision such as the Wooly Mammoth, and the Saber-Toothed Tiger may not be around at the moment, but there may be water species, birds, and animals presently that are not far remove from their gene pool. There are “modern” birds, sharks, elephants, alligators, rhinos and mountain lions today that are similar as their respective prehistoric counter parts.

Deinosuchus hatcheri; Museum of Natural History at the University of Utah Visit

4. Q-The TV show “Land Of The Lost” was one of the greatest TV shows ever made with the “Sleestack” being one of the creepiest and coolest villains ever. Was the show based on true events?

A– “Don’t make me come over there!!!!!”

So to wrap it up……

Dinosaurs appeared on the Earth 240 Million…..I said, MILLION years ago.

Humans appeared on the Earth 240 Thousand years ago!

Oh my; I may need more wall space.