Welcome to The Palaeo Minute: Your Source for Prehistoric Knowledge!

Expert perspective from a palaeontologist with 8+ years of science communication and content creation – insights based on science writing, research and digital storytelling.

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

Explore the depths of the Mesozoic Era, one discovery at a time. Uncover the stories, science, and symbolism behind The Palaeo Minute.

Welcome to this FREE edition of The Palaeo Minute, the official palaeontology newsletter for my website! Join me on a journey through prehistoric discoveries as I share what you can expect from The Palaeo Minute and the exciting palaeontological path ahead.

This edition explores:

My Science Communication Journey: Why I am passionate about making palaeontology accessible.
Why Dinosaurs Matter Today: A unique blend of research, fieldwork, & storytelling bringing the past to life in every edition.
From Idea to Insight: The Origin of The Palaeo Minute: How the idea evolved from a spark to a fully-fledged resource for fossil fans.
Join Me on Patreon: Support the project & unlock exclusive content, polls, & behind-the-scenes access.
Consultancy Services: Applying scientific rigour to natural history media through scientific verification & research.

Dive into the Past!

After months of development, The Palaeo Minute has arrived! Be part of this journey by purchasing a subscription for exclusive insights into fossil discoveries, prehistoric life, and the science behind palaeontology.

Get exclusive access to fossil insights, specialist research commentary, and deep dives into dinosaur knowledge plus a behind-the-scenes look into the world of palaeontology.

This is a rolling monthly or yearly subscription. No refunds for past editions, but you can cancel anytime. Newsletter editions can be purchased individually as well from each edition.

Payment is safe and secure with immediate access when each edition goes live.

Meet the Palaeontologist

Hello, I am James, I am a vertebrate palaeontologist with an MSc in Palaeobiology from the University of Bristol. I am the author of this website and this newsletter The Palaeo Minute.

I previously served as a Jurassic Coast Trust Ambassador, an experience that deepened my commitment to engaging public audiences. I am a science writer, blogger, and fossil hunter.

My research interests cover Rhaetian microvertebrates from Late Triassic ecosystems and Late Cretaceous hadrosaur macroevolution research, through evolution of feeding function.

Excavating in the Judith River Formation of Montana.

I possess fieldwork expertise in the Rhaetian of Vallis Vale Frome, the Cretaceous Wessex Formation on the Isle of Wight, and the Late Cretaceous Judith River Formation in Montana. Here are some key takeaways about my experience:

I am deeply passionate about palaeontology & science communication.
I am an accomplished science writer & researcher.
Eight years of experience communicating palaeontology through scientific papers, blog articles, children’s magazines, & YouTube videos.
I have published scientific articles for esteemed organisations such as the Geologists’ Association, Signature Publishing, & The Jurassic Coast Trust.

Why Dinosaurs Matter Today

The Palaeo Minute offers a unique perspective unlike other newsletters out there, combining expert commentary on cutting-edge palaeontological research and fossil discoveries with insights from my fieldwork, academic study, and hands-on experience working within the field.

Dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and pterosaurs do not just fascinate, they inform. These prehistoric creatures reveal powerful lessons about evolution and extinction.

A scientific newsletter when done right can ignite discovery, making palaeontology feel truly alive. Exploring palaeoenvironments and ecosystems does not just deepen our understanding of the past, it connects us to the environment shaping our future.

And beyond the fossils themselves, palaeontology has real-world impact in education, media, and research. That is why I also offer consultancy to support projects that bring natural history to life through engaging storytelling.

Growing engagement with my science communication website through articles, outreach features, and international readership sparked the creation of The Palaeo Minute, a newsletter dedicated to delivering fossil discoveries and analysis in an accessible format.

But how did this idea evolve from concept to reality? In the next section, I reveal the journey behind its development and the exciting process of bringing this project to life.

Bringing the Vision to Life

The idea for The Palaeo Minute first took shape in mid-2024. After months of planning, refining, and designing, I am thrilled to finally bring this vision to life!

The newsletter concept had been on my mind for quite some time. I envisioned a dynamic way to share my knowledge in palaeontology, something engaging, accessible, and informative.

The title and logo beautifully designed by palaeoartist Shirin Sheppard had already taken shape in my mind months before I began actively planning.

An iconic image: a Tyrannosaurus rex biting the minute hand off a clock. A playful nod to geological time and a metaphor for readers delving into the Mesozoic one minute at a time.

The Palaeo Minute logo, by Shirin Sheppard a moment frozen in time, and bitten into motion.

The logo is multi-layered in meaning. Discovering a dinosaur fossil in the field often feels like time has stood still, a glimpse into a world long gone. That first moment of uncovering a fossil, or revealing remains never before seen, can feel suspended in time: exhilarating, surprising, even emotional.

For me, The Palaeo Minute logo became the perfect symbol: of discovery, of my newsletter, and of the enduring impact of palaeontology.

The T. rex biting the clock’s minute hand symbolises change. Each new dinosaur discovery reshapes how we understand these animals and the time they lived in. The broken clock represents not time lost, but time reimagined reminding us that palaeontology evolves with each timely discovery.

Originally launched as a blog in 2018, my website has evolved into a thriving science communication hub, where I share in-depth research, fieldwork experiences, and insights into dinosaurs and fossils.

Since its inception, the website has seen over 85,000 views across 159 countries, demonstrating a global interest in palaeontology. Given this engagement, launching a monthly newsletter covering the latest in scientific research felt like a natural progression.

Curious to keep reading? The next edition is free, dive in and explore what is inside. You can purchase a £4.99/month rolling subscription or a £59.99 annual rolling subscription bundle to unlock all ten upcoming editions as they release. Or purchase newsletter editions individually for £6.99 each. Each newsletter is packed with fossil finds, research and professional commentary.

With exciting topics ahead, there is always more to uncover in the world of palaeontology. Stay connected and explore even more discoveries by following The Palaeo Minute on social media.

**Continue The Palaeo Minute Adventure!**

Check out the palaeontology fact of the month and the new social media channels below where I will be sharing palaeontology images, facts, and info alongside newsletter releases.

If you enjoyed this dispatch, consider joining the expedition on Patreon. Your support helps keep the dig alive and unlocks even more prehistoric wonders.

Become a Patron of The Palaeo Minute

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Palaeontology Fact of the Month

*Iguanodon* or Megalosaurus footprints on display at Dorset Museum. Image credit: James Ronan, 2022.

Trace fossils like trails, burrows, and footprints, can be found across the globe. Dinosaur footprint sites can provide significant palaeontological insight into dinosaur biomechanics, including gait and speed. Above are a selection of tridactyl (three toed) dinosaur footprints (ichnites) possibly from Iguanodon or Megalosaurus on display at Dorset Museum in Dorchester. These footprints were made in the 142 million years old Purbeck Group in Swanage, Southeast Dorset in the United Kingdom.

Palaeo Expertise for Projects that Inspire

Looking for scientifically accurate dinosaur content? I provide fact-checking, research support for books, video games, documentaries, interviews, and science communication projects. Let’s collaborate to bring natural history to life!