Mark P. Witton Libros

This new book outlines how fossil animals and environments can be reconstructed from their fossils.

"What was life like on our planet long before the early humans emerged? Paleontologist Dr. Mark P. Witton draws on the latest twenty-first century discoveries to re-create the appearances and lifestyles of extinct, fascinating species, the environments they inhabited, and the challenges they faced living on an ever-changing planet. A worthy successor to Charles Knight's beloved 1946 classic, Life through the Ages II takes us on an unforgettable journey through the evolution of life on Earth. Dozens of gorgeous color illustrations and meticulously researched, accompanying commentary showcase the succession of lost worlds, defining events, and ancient creatures that have appeared since the earth was formed, creating an indispensable guide to explore what came before us"-- Provided by publisher

"Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals have always fascinated people but they pose vast problems for the artist. How do you recreate the anatomy and behaviour of a creature we've never seen? How can we restore landscapes long lost to time? And where does the boundary between palaeontology -- the science of understanding fossils -- and artistic licence lie? In this outstanding book, Mark Witton shares his detailed paintings and great experience of drawing and painting extinct species. The approaches used in rendering these impressive creatures are discussed and demonstrate the problems, as well as the unexpected freedoms, that palaeontological artists are faced with"--Back cover

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Leathery-Winged Harpies -- 2. Understanding the Flying Reptiles -- 3. Pterosaur Beginnings -- 4. The Pterosaur Skeleton -- 5. Soft Bits -- 6. Flying Reptiles -- 7. Down from the Skies -- 8. The Private Lives of Pterosaurs -- 9. The Diversity of Pterosaurs -- 10. Early Pterosaurs and Dimorphodontidae -- 11. Anurognathidae -- 12. "Campylognathoidids"--13. Rhamphorhynchidae -- 14. Wukongopteridae -- 15. Istiodactylidae -- 16. Ornithocheiridae -- 17. Boreopteridae -- 18. Pteranodontia -- 19. Ctenochasmatoidea -- 20. Dsungaripteroidea -- 21. Lonchodectidae -- 22. Tapejaridae -- 23. Chaoyangopteridae -- 24. Thalassodromidae -- 25. Azhdarchidae -- 26. The Rise and Fall of the Pterosaur Empire -- References -- Index.

The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, a series of thirty-seven incredible sculptures of prehistoric animals and geological displays, were unveiled to the public as part of the famous Crystal Palace Park in 1854. The display, which includes iconic depictions of rhinoceros-like dinosaurs, regal extinct mammals, serpentine marine reptiles and giant, frog-like amphibians, captured a snapshot of palaeontology from a golden era of scientific discovery in the mid-nineteenth century. Today, they are internationally recognized as a milestone in our portrayals of extinct life. This book celebrates these classic scientific artworks and explores: their history, their conception as a wider part of the Crystal Palace project, their execution using unorthodox building materials, their reception by nineteenth century and modern critics, and their enduring mysteries. Hundreds of historic and modern photos and original paintings show modern scientific visions of the extinct animals restored. Written in collaboration with and in support of the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs charity, this superb book gives the most detailed and complete history of these world-famous sculptures yet, reinforcing their status as masterworks of education and palaeoartistry.