Taylor Mitchell Brown
@tmitchellbrown.bsky.social
Science journalist covering archaeology, paleontology, and Earth science | Words for Science, New Scientist, Science News, and Live Science 🧪🏺
Pinned
Funding cuts to U.S. archaeology could imperil field’s future
A Science analysis of canceled and curtailed federal grants reveals hits to research, collections, and training
www.science.org
I spoke with several leading archaeologists to better understand the impact recent federal funding cuts will have on archaeology in the US. The future doesn’t look good.
#NSF #NEH #archaeology #paleoanthropology #heritage
New at @science.org 🏺🧪
#NSF #NEH #archaeology #paleoanthropology #heritage
New at @science.org 🏺🧪
In new research, scientists report a diminutive dino that was perfectly adapted to pilfer eggs.
Its bones were excavated from the Mongolian Desert and reveal a “bizarre” claw that enabled it to quickly filch eggs before fleeing.
🧪🏺
#Paleontology #EggSnatcher
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
Its bones were excavated from the Mongolian Desert and reveal a “bizarre” claw that enabled it to quickly filch eggs before fleeing.
🧪🏺
#Paleontology #EggSnatcher
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
This dino’s fossil claw suggests it snatched eggs, not insects
A 67-million-year-old claw fossil reveals a new dinosaur species that may have used its hand spikes to snatch and pierce eggs.
www.sciencenews.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:55 PM
In new research, scientists report a diminutive dino that was perfectly adapted to pilfer eggs.
Its bones were excavated from the Mongolian Desert and reveal a “bizarre” claw that enabled it to quickly filch eggs before fleeing.
🧪🏺
#Paleontology #EggSnatcher
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
Its bones were excavated from the Mongolian Desert and reveal a “bizarre” claw that enabled it to quickly filch eggs before fleeing.
🧪🏺
#Paleontology #EggSnatcher
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
Hydrothermal vents spurred by seismic activity feed vital nutrients to Antarctic microbes. https://scim.ag/4qxojow
Deep-sea earthquakes fuel huge plankton blooms in Antarctica
Hydrothermal vents spurred by seismic activity feed vital nutrients to Antarctic microbes
www.science.org
January 12, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Hydrothermal vents spurred by seismic activity feed vital nutrients to Antarctic microbes. https://scim.ag/4qxojow
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet www.scientificamerican.com/article/this...
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet www.scientificamerican.com/article/this...
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
Sixty-six million years ago, a cataclysmic asteroid impact triggered a global mass extinction. New research suggests that, contrary to prior thinking, some members of an ancient group of mollusks managed to survive the initial carnage after it struck. https://scim.ag/4994w9k
Against all odds, a curious sea creature survived the dino-killing asteroid
Coil-shelled mollusks called ammonites staved off extinction for thousands of years
www.science.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Sixty-six million years ago, a cataclysmic asteroid impact triggered a global mass extinction. New research suggests that, contrary to prior thinking, some members of an ancient group of mollusks managed to survive the initial carnage after it struck. https://scim.ag/4994w9k
Scientists find new Moroccan fossils might represent the oldest ancestor to Homo sapiens yet.
Remarkably, they were able to date the specimens by identifying Earth’s magnetic pole reversal in the surrounding sediments.
#Paleoanthropology #Archaeology
🧪🏺
New for #NationalGeographic
Remarkably, they were able to date the specimens by identifying Earth’s magnetic pole reversal in the surrounding sediments.
#Paleoanthropology #Archaeology
🧪🏺
New for #NationalGeographic
This ancient human may be the root of the Homo sapiens family tree
New fossils unearthed in Morocco could help solve the mystery of how Homo sapiens diverged from other ancient humans like Neanderthals.
www.nationalgeographic.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Scientists find new Moroccan fossils might represent the oldest ancestor to Homo sapiens yet.
Remarkably, they were able to date the specimens by identifying Earth’s magnetic pole reversal in the surrounding sediments.
#Paleoanthropology #Archaeology
🧪🏺
New for #NationalGeographic
Remarkably, they were able to date the specimens by identifying Earth’s magnetic pole reversal in the surrounding sediments.
#Paleoanthropology #Archaeology
🧪🏺
New for #NationalGeographic
Scientists report that a hardy group of ammonites survived the dino-killing asteroid for over 68,000 years.
Once considered a “textbook victim” of the calamity, the new research shows mass extinctions aren’t always as tidy as portrayed.
#Paleontology #MassExtinctions
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
Once considered a “textbook victim” of the calamity, the new research shows mass extinctions aren’t always as tidy as portrayed.
#Paleontology #MassExtinctions
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
Against all odds, a curious sea creature survived the dino-killing asteroid
Coil-shelled mollusks called ammonites staved off extinction for thousands of years
www.science.org
January 6, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Scientists report that a hardy group of ammonites survived the dino-killing asteroid for over 68,000 years.
Once considered a “textbook victim” of the calamity, the new research shows mass extinctions aren’t always as tidy as portrayed.
#Paleontology #MassExtinctions
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
Once considered a “textbook victim” of the calamity, the new research shows mass extinctions aren’t always as tidy as portrayed.
#Paleontology #MassExtinctions
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
An Antarctic phytoplankton bloom that can grow the size of New Zealand is nourished by a surprising source—underwater earthquakes.
Researchers find the seismic activity triggers deep-sea vents to burp up vital nutrients like iron that then fuel giant blooms at the surface.
🧪🏺
New at @science.org
Researchers find the seismic activity triggers deep-sea vents to burp up vital nutrients like iron that then fuel giant blooms at the surface.
🧪🏺
New at @science.org
Deep-sea earthquakes fuel huge plankton blooms in Antarctica
Hydrothermal vents spurred by seismic activity feed vital nutrients to Antarctic microbes
www.science.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:12 PM
An Antarctic phytoplankton bloom that can grow the size of New Zealand is nourished by a surprising source—underwater earthquakes.
Researchers find the seismic activity triggers deep-sea vents to burp up vital nutrients like iron that then fuel giant blooms at the surface.
🧪🏺
New at @science.org
Researchers find the seismic activity triggers deep-sea vents to burp up vital nutrients like iron that then fuel giant blooms at the surface.
🧪🏺
New at @science.org
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
Small samples of fossilized materials contain molecular signatures that correspond with those animals’ diets and habitats.
A new study uses those biomarkers to reconstruct the environments where ancient hominins lived in Africa more than 1 million years ago. https://scim.ag/3N6W2Xv
A new study uses those biomarkers to reconstruct the environments where ancient hominins lived in Africa more than 1 million years ago. https://scim.ag/3N6W2Xv
Chemicals in million-year-old fossils reveal animals’ lives in detail
Ancient meals and infections reconstructed from preserved metabolic markers
scim.ag
January 1, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Small samples of fossilized materials contain molecular signatures that correspond with those animals’ diets and habitats.
A new study uses those biomarkers to reconstruct the environments where ancient hominins lived in Africa more than 1 million years ago. https://scim.ag/3N6W2Xv
A new study uses those biomarkers to reconstruct the environments where ancient hominins lived in Africa more than 1 million years ago. https://scim.ag/3N6W2Xv
In new research, scientists find fossilized bones and teeth can contain metabolites—tiny byproducts of internal chemical processes.
These metabolites can reveal unprecedented insights into an ancient animal’s age, diet, and environment.
#Paleometabolomics #Paleontology
🏺🧪
New for @science.org
These metabolites can reveal unprecedented insights into an ancient animal’s age, diet, and environment.
#Paleometabolomics #Paleontology
🏺🧪
New for @science.org
Chemicals in million-year-old fossils reveal animals’ lives in detail
Ancient meals and infections reconstructed from preserved metabolic markers
www.science.org
December 29, 2025 at 6:21 PM
In new research, scientists find fossilized bones and teeth can contain metabolites—tiny byproducts of internal chemical processes.
These metabolites can reveal unprecedented insights into an ancient animal’s age, diet, and environment.
#Paleometabolomics #Paleontology
🏺🧪
New for @science.org
These metabolites can reveal unprecedented insights into an ancient animal’s age, diet, and environment.
#Paleometabolomics #Paleontology
🏺🧪
New for @science.org
Scientists find fossil-loving lichen might act as a beacon for new dino discoveries.
The new research used drones to detect light reflected by colorful lichen species that prefer to inhabit dinosaur bones in the Canadian badlands.
#Paleontology #Lichenology
🏺🧪
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
The new research used drones to detect light reflected by colorful lichen species that prefer to inhabit dinosaur bones in the Canadian badlands.
#Paleontology #Lichenology
🏺🧪
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
This bright orange life-form could point to new dino discoveries
Colorful lichen living on dinosaur bones reflect infrared light that can be detected by drones, which might lead to finds in remote areas.
www.sciencenews.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Scientists find fossil-loving lichen might act as a beacon for new dino discoveries.
The new research used drones to detect light reflected by colorful lichen species that prefer to inhabit dinosaur bones in the Canadian badlands.
#Paleontology #Lichenology
🏺🧪
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
The new research used drones to detect light reflected by colorful lichen species that prefer to inhabit dinosaur bones in the Canadian badlands.
#Paleontology #Lichenology
🏺🧪
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
A new analysis suggests lichen evolved millions of years earlier than previously believed.
The discovery shows that fungi-algae symbiotes might have helped pave the way for early land-dwelling plants to successfully colonize Earth.
🏺🧪
#Paleontology #Lichenology
New at @sciam.bsky.social
The discovery shows that fungi-algae symbiotes might have helped pave the way for early land-dwelling plants to successfully colonize Earth.
🏺🧪
#Paleontology #Lichenology
New at @sciam.bsky.social
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A new analysis suggests lichen evolved millions of years earlier than previously believed.
The discovery shows that fungi-algae symbiotes might have helped pave the way for early land-dwelling plants to successfully colonize Earth.
🏺🧪
#Paleontology #Lichenology
New at @sciam.bsky.social
The discovery shows that fungi-algae symbiotes might have helped pave the way for early land-dwelling plants to successfully colonize Earth.
🏺🧪
#Paleontology #Lichenology
New at @sciam.bsky.social
McGraths Flat is an incredible fossil site in New South Wales that reveals Australia’s rich tropical past.
In a new study, scientists discover what caused the area’s exceptional fossilization—and where similar fossil sites might be unearthed.
#Paleontology #Lagerstatte
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
In a new study, scientists discover what caused the area’s exceptional fossilization—and where similar fossil sites might be unearthed.
#Paleontology #Lagerstatte
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
Australia’s red rocks hold mysteriously detailed fossils. We finally know how they formed
Chemical analysis could help predict locations of other ancient sites with impeccable fossils
www.science.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
McGraths Flat is an incredible fossil site in New South Wales that reveals Australia’s rich tropical past.
In a new study, scientists discover what caused the area’s exceptional fossilization—and where similar fossil sites might be unearthed.
#Paleontology #Lagerstatte
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
In a new study, scientists discover what caused the area’s exceptional fossilization—and where similar fossil sites might be unearthed.
#Paleontology #Lagerstatte
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
Scientists are turning to tree rings from ancient coffins to glean novel insights into our past.
Beyond withered corpses and grave goods, the buried woods reveal unparalleled details about historic temperatures, droughts, and floods.
#Dendrochronology #Paleoclimatology
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
Beyond withered corpses and grave goods, the buried woods reveal unparalleled details about historic temperatures, droughts, and floods.
#Dendrochronology #Paleoclimatology
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
Tree rings from ancient coffins offer clues to Earth’s past
Wood from gravesites can help reconstruct historic temperatures, floods, and droughts
www.science.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Scientists are turning to tree rings from ancient coffins to glean novel insights into our past.
Beyond withered corpses and grave goods, the buried woods reveal unparalleled details about historic temperatures, droughts, and floods.
#Dendrochronology #Paleoclimatology
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
Beyond withered corpses and grave goods, the buried woods reveal unparalleled details about historic temperatures, droughts, and floods.
#Dendrochronology #Paleoclimatology
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
Science Bluesky has the juice. 🧃🧪
As a science journo, I’d say an easy step many scientists could take is to simply share their papers and key findings on social media. It’s amazing how many cool projects I’ve discovered just by following researchers here on Bluesky.
October 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Science Bluesky has the juice. 🧃🧪
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
Mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe can provoke psychedelic experiences thanks to compounds including psilocybin.
A new study finds that within another genus of “magic” mushrooms, psilocybin is synthesized using a completely different chemical pathway. https://scim.ag/47hEBv1
A new study finds that within another genus of “magic” mushrooms, psilocybin is synthesized using a completely different chemical pathway. https://scim.ag/47hEBv1
In mind-bending twist, ‘magic’ mushrooms evolved twice independently
Study identifies entirely new suite of enzymes that can make psilocybin
www.science.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe can provoke psychedelic experiences thanks to compounds including psilocybin.
A new study finds that within another genus of “magic” mushrooms, psilocybin is synthesized using a completely different chemical pathway. https://scim.ag/47hEBv1
A new study finds that within another genus of “magic” mushrooms, psilocybin is synthesized using a completely different chemical pathway. https://scim.ag/47hEBv1
An analysis of over 5,000 fossils found dung beetles developed a taste for fetid meat significantly earlier than previously believed.
The 37-million-year-old discovery suggests fierce fecal competition drove some species to start eating flesh.
#Paleontology #FossilFriday
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
The 37-million-year-old discovery suggests fierce fecal competition drove some species to start eating flesh.
#Paleontology #FossilFriday
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
How poop-eating beetles evolved to eat rotting flesh
Analysis of thousands of fossils pushes back change in beetles’ diets by more than 37 million years
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 10:28 PM
An analysis of over 5,000 fossils found dung beetles developed a taste for fetid meat significantly earlier than previously believed.
The 37-million-year-old discovery suggests fierce fecal competition drove some species to start eating flesh.
#Paleontology #FossilFriday
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
The 37-million-year-old discovery suggests fierce fecal competition drove some species to start eating flesh.
#Paleontology #FossilFriday
🧪🏺
New for @science.org
Scientists just found several fossil bumblebees covered in pollen that directly matches fossil flowers nearby.
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
These ancient bumblebees were found with their pollen source
Insects have long pollinated plants, but evidence of ancient pairing is rare. Fossils now show bees and linden trees goes back 24 million years.
www.sciencenews.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Scientists just found several fossil bumblebees covered in pollen that directly matches fossil flowers nearby.
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
About 120 million years ago, a pterosaur fell from the sky and died in a pond. A layer of sediment washed over it, preserving not only its skeleton, but also its stomach.
The resulting fossil is the first pterosaur ever found with a belly full of plants. #NationalFossilDay https://scim.ag/4hbaedc
The resulting fossil is the first pterosaur ever found with a belly full of plants. #NationalFossilDay https://scim.ag/4hbaedc
October 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
About 120 million years ago, a pterosaur fell from the sky and died in a pond. A layer of sediment washed over it, preserving not only its skeleton, but also its stomach.
The resulting fossil is the first pterosaur ever found with a belly full of plants. #NationalFossilDay https://scim.ag/4hbaedc
The resulting fossil is the first pterosaur ever found with a belly full of plants. #NationalFossilDay https://scim.ag/4hbaedc
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
ok this is fucking awesome
Scientists recently found two evolutionarily distinct mushrooms converged to produce the same psychedelic molecule—psilocybin.
The “surprising” results underscore the significance of the hallucinogen but leave questions about its ultimate purpose.
#Psilocybe #MagicMushrooms
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
The “surprising” results underscore the significance of the hallucinogen but leave questions about its ultimate purpose.
#Psilocybe #MagicMushrooms
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
In mind-bending twist, ‘magic’ mushrooms evolved twice independently
Study identifies entirely new suite of enzymes that can make psilocybin
www.science.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
ok this is fucking awesome
Scientists recently found two evolutionarily distinct mushrooms converged to produce the same psychedelic molecule—psilocybin.
The “surprising” results underscore the significance of the hallucinogen but leave questions about its ultimate purpose.
#Psilocybe #MagicMushrooms
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
The “surprising” results underscore the significance of the hallucinogen but leave questions about its ultimate purpose.
#Psilocybe #MagicMushrooms
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
In mind-bending twist, ‘magic’ mushrooms evolved twice independently
Study identifies entirely new suite of enzymes that can make psilocybin
www.science.org
October 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Scientists recently found two evolutionarily distinct mushrooms converged to produce the same psychedelic molecule—psilocybin.
The “surprising” results underscore the significance of the hallucinogen but leave questions about its ultimate purpose.
#Psilocybe #MagicMushrooms
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
The “surprising” results underscore the significance of the hallucinogen but leave questions about its ultimate purpose.
#Psilocybe #MagicMushrooms
New at @science.org 🧪🏺
Reposted by Taylor Mitchell Brown
Hunter-gatherers may have used engravings to find water in the parched deserts of the Arabian Peninsula 12,000 years ago. https://scim.ag/4nql413
Prehistoric camel art pointed to precious water sources in the Arabian Desert
Hunter-gatherers may have used the engravings to find water 12,000 years ago
scim.ag
October 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Hunter-gatherers may have used engravings to find water in the parched deserts of the Arabian Peninsula 12,000 years ago. https://scim.ag/4nql413
Large stone fragment of a monumental building at Eleusis, Greece. The Ancient Greeks hosted a festival here every September to celebrate the return of Persephone to her mother Demeter, goddess of agriculture.
🧪🏺
The festival lasted until 395 CE.
📷: me
#AncientGreece #EleusinianMysteries
🧪🏺
The festival lasted until 395 CE.
📷: me
#AncientGreece #EleusinianMysteries
September 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Large stone fragment of a monumental building at Eleusis, Greece. The Ancient Greeks hosted a festival here every September to celebrate the return of Persephone to her mother Demeter, goddess of agriculture.
🧪🏺
The festival lasted until 395 CE.
📷: me
#AncientGreece #EleusinianMysteries
🧪🏺
The festival lasted until 395 CE.
📷: me
#AncientGreece #EleusinianMysteries
New research finds that 12,000-year-old camel art in Saudi Arabia’s Nefud Desert once marked ancient water sources.
Hunter-gatherers may have used the ephemeral water bodies to penetrate deeper into the barren landscape.
#RockArt #Archaeology
New for @science.org 🧪🏺
Hunter-gatherers may have used the ephemeral water bodies to penetrate deeper into the barren landscape.
#RockArt #Archaeology
New for @science.org 🧪🏺
Prehistoric camel art pointed to precious water sources in the Arabian Desert
Hunter-gatherers may have used the engravings to find water 12,000 years ago
www.science.org
September 30, 2025 at 3:26 PM
New research finds that 12,000-year-old camel art in Saudi Arabia’s Nefud Desert once marked ancient water sources.
Hunter-gatherers may have used the ephemeral water bodies to penetrate deeper into the barren landscape.
#RockArt #Archaeology
New for @science.org 🧪🏺
Hunter-gatherers may have used the ephemeral water bodies to penetrate deeper into the barren landscape.
#RockArt #Archaeology
New for @science.org 🧪🏺
An exquisite fossil of a 240-million-year-old marine reptile reveals it had partially webbed fingers and toes.
The exceptional preservation also hinted at underlying limb muscles that suggest it swam like seal.
#Paleontology #MonteSanGiorgio
🧪🏺
New for @sciencenews.bsky.social
The exceptional preservation also hinted at underlying limb muscles that suggest it swam like seal.
#Paleontology #MonteSanGiorgio
🧪🏺
New for @sciencenews.bsky.social
An ancient reptile’s fossilized skin reveals how it swam like a seal
A reptile fossil is the first of its kind with skin and partially webbed feet, possibly showing how later species like plesiosaurs adapted to water.
www.sciencenews.org
September 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
An exquisite fossil of a 240-million-year-old marine reptile reveals it had partially webbed fingers and toes.
The exceptional preservation also hinted at underlying limb muscles that suggest it swam like seal.
#Paleontology #MonteSanGiorgio
🧪🏺
New for @sciencenews.bsky.social
The exceptional preservation also hinted at underlying limb muscles that suggest it swam like seal.
#Paleontology #MonteSanGiorgio
🧪🏺
New for @sciencenews.bsky.social