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Bones in the cave! Jerónimo Avilés
In this episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara sits down with Jerónimo Avilés, a Mexican speleologist, paleontologist, and the Director of Instituto de la Prehistoria de América AC.
Together, they take a journey back in time, exploring the Ice Age megafauna that once roamed the Yucatan Peninsula and now rests deep within its flooded caves. Jerónimo shares his extensive knowledge and passion for these submerged time capsules and the remains of the ice age megafauna. From the giant ground sloth (Xibalbaonyx oviceps) to the elephant-like gomphotheres, they discuss the incredible biodiversity that existed here over 10,000 years ago and the meticulous work required to study and preserve these fragile remains. Jerónimo also explains the crucial difference between a mammoth, a mastodon, a gomohoterium and a gomphothere—much of it is in the teeth!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Time Travel Underwater: Understanding the Pleistocene epoch and how rising sea levels preserved a treasure trove of fossils in the cenotes.
- Meet the Giants: A detailed look at the unique species found in the Yucatan Peninsula, including the giant sloth, gomphotheres, and even prehistoric bears and llamas.
- Teeth Tell the Tale: How paleontologists use dental morphology to distinguish between species and understand their diets and environments.
- The Importance of Context: Why moving a bone, even slightly, can destroy valuable scientific data and the story it tells about the past.
- Ear Bones & Evolution: Jerónimo's fascination with auditory ossicles and what these tiny bones reveal about an animal's life and evolution.
- Citizen Science: How divers can contribute to paleontological research by documenting their findings responsibly and reporting them to experts.
About the Guest: Jerónimo is a researcher, photographer, cave diver and paleontologist whose work has derived in dozens of scientific and outreach papers. He has spent almost 30 years diving, documenting and studying the caves, archaeology and paleontology of Quintana Roo.
Connect with Jerónimo Avilés:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jer%C3%B3nimo-avil%C3%A9s-olgu%C3%ADn-segovia-b3bb604b/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeronimo.olguinsegovia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeronimoavilesolguin/
- Email: [email protected]
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and share it with your dive buddy.
Changing the culture starts with a conversation.
Contact me: [email protected]
View all episodes
By Tamara AdameIn this episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara sits down with Jerónimo Avilés, a Mexican speleologist, paleontologist, and the Director of Instituto de la Prehistoria de América AC.
Together, they take a journey back in time, exploring the Ice Age megafauna that once roamed the Yucatan Peninsula and now rests deep within its flooded caves. Jerónimo shares his extensive knowledge and passion for these submerged time capsules and the remains of the ice age megafauna. From the giant ground sloth (Xibalbaonyx oviceps) to the elephant-like gomphotheres, they discuss the incredible biodiversity that existed here over 10,000 years ago and the meticulous work required to study and preserve these fragile remains. Jerónimo also explains the crucial difference between a mammoth, a mastodon, a gomohoterium and a gomphothere—much of it is in the teeth!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Time Travel Underwater: Understanding the Pleistocene epoch and how rising sea levels preserved a treasure trove of fossils in the cenotes.
- Meet the Giants: A detailed look at the unique species found in the Yucatan Peninsula, including the giant sloth, gomphotheres, and even prehistoric bears and llamas.
- Teeth Tell the Tale: How paleontologists use dental morphology to distinguish between species and understand their diets and environments.
- The Importance of Context: Why moving a bone, even slightly, can destroy valuable scientific data and the story it tells about the past.
- Ear Bones & Evolution: Jerónimo's fascination with auditory ossicles and what these tiny bones reveal about an animal's life and evolution.
- Citizen Science: How divers can contribute to paleontological research by documenting their findings responsibly and reporting them to experts.
About the Guest: Jerónimo is a researcher, photographer, cave diver and paleontologist whose work has derived in dozens of scientific and outreach papers. He has spent almost 30 years diving, documenting and studying the caves, archaeology and paleontology of Quintana Roo.
Connect with Jerónimo Avilés:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jer%C3%B3nimo-avil%C3%A9s-olgu%C3%ADn-segovia-b3bb604b/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeronimo.olguinsegovia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeronimoavilesolguin/
- Email: [email protected]
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and share it with your dive buddy.
Changing the culture starts with a conversation.
Contact me: [email protected]