Rogers “Caldwell” Buntin is a researcher, lecturer, and drone pilot who received his Ph.D. in Ocean & Earth Sciences from Old Dominion University. He specializes in interpreting subtle fossilized traces that reveal how dinosaurs interacted with their environments.

He joins Ellis Malmgren to explain his recent discovery at Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado; an apparent 100-million-year-old “dinosaur dance floor,” a site covered in intricate scrape marks and depressions made by theropods performing courtship displays. Using drones and high-resolution imaging, Buntin and his team interpreted these features as evidence of mating rituals, offering a rare glimpse into dinosaur social behavior and reshaping how scientists think about life in the Cretaceous.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:26 Dinosaur Ridge Discovery

01:27 Drone Photogrammetry and Field Work

04:07 Courtship Scrapes and Theories

18:40 Challenges and Logistical Hurdles

33:53 Emerging Technologies in Paleontology

50:02 Digitized Samples and Field Visualization

51:18 Communication and Collaboration in Research

52:10 Adoption and Resistance to New Technologies

54:17 3D Scanning and Its Potential

56:01 Artificial General Intelligence in Geology

57:42 Integrating Technology in Education

01:14:08 Challenges and Misconceptions in Field Work

01:16:47 Mentorship and Influences

01:19:51 Drone Piloting and Photography

01:27:41 Life Beyond Earth

01:34:15 Public Reach and De-Extinction

01:39:20 GIS and NASA Internship

01:43:03 Future Plans and Conclusion