Dr. Daeschler to Present

“Cold, Hard Science: The 2016-2017 Antarctic Paleontological Expedition”

PENNSYLVANIA — The Freethought Society is pleased to host Dr. Ted Daeschler as a speaker at the Ludington Library (5 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr) on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. This event is free and open-to-the-public. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM.

Dr. Daeschler’s presentation “Cold, Hard Science: The 2016-2017 Antarctic Paleontological Expedition,” will highlight the Devonian Period (420-360 million-years-ago). Fossils bear witnessed of profound diversification of the form and function of aquatic vertebrates, including the origin of limbed forms. Previous discoveries from fossil sites in the northern hemisphere motivated questions about biotic evolution within the southern landmasses from the same timeframe.

Working out of McMurdo Station, Dr. Daeschler’s team spent three weeks at two sites in the Transantarctic Mountains of Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. These areas have had little paleontological exploration and this fieldwork revealed productive Middle Devonian sites with a wide variety of fossil vertebrates from ancient freshwater ecosystems. A powerful slide show will take you into the camp and the surrounding areas.

About Dr. Ted Daeschler:

Dr. Daeschler is curator of Vertebrate Zoology, Academy of Natural Sciences Professor, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University. He has been at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia since 1987. His research interests center on Late Devonian-age fossils and the origin of limbed vertebrates. Daeschler’s responsibilities at the Academy of Natural Sciences focus on research, teaching, collections curation, and public programs within the museum. Since 2011, Dr. Daeschler has had a joint appointment as a Professor in the Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science at Drexel.

For more information, contact:

Margaret Downey
Freethought Society President 
Phone: 610.793.2737
Email: Margaret@FtSociety.org