John Reeves, from The Boneyard Alaska

Date: 2022-12-30 | Duration: 3h 7m

Episode Overview

John Reeves shares the fascinating story of his life and work at The Boneyard in Alaska, a unique site rich with Ice Age fossils and ancient remains. He recounts how he came to own this land, originally mined for gold and uranium, and how the melting permafrost has revealed an astonishing trove of bones from mammoths, short-faced bears, dire wolves, and other prehistoric creatures. Reeves describes the painstaking process of excavating these fossils, often buried under 60 feet of overburden, and the challenges of preserving and studying such fragile, ancient material. He also touches on the lost history of the site, including how valuable bones were discarded or overlooked during early mining operations. The conversation delves into the broader implications of climate change and rising sea levels that may have contributed to the mass deaths preserved in the muck. Reeves offers vivid stories of Alaska’s wildlife, from grizzly bears to moose, and shares his experiences hunting and living off the land. He also discusses the legal and ethical complexities surrounding fossil ownership and the potential for a “bone rush” as more discoveries come to light. Throughout, Reeves provides a rare glimpse into a remote, almost forgotten chapter of natural history, blending personal anecdotes with scientific insights.

About from The Boneyard Alaska

John Reeves is an adventurous Alaskan gold miner who gained national attention through the 2012 National Geographic docu-series "Goldfathers." His relentless pursuit of gold led to a remarkable discovery beneath the permafrost on his property, revealing the remains of thousands of Ice Age animals, a journey chronicled in the 2019 documentary "Boneyard Alaska." With a captivating Instagram account, @theboneyardalaska, John shares his unique finds and the stories behind them, blending the thrill of mining with the intrigue of paleontology. As the owner of Fairbanks Gold Company, he combines his passion for gold mining with a dedication to uncovering Alaska's rich natural history, making him a fascinating figure in both the mining and scientific communities.

About John Reeves

John Reeves is an adventurous Alaskan gold miner who first gained fame as a cast member on the 2012 National Geographic docu-series "Goldfathers." Known for his relentless pursuit of treasure, he recently made headlines with a groundbreaking discovery on his property—unearthing the remains of thousands of Ice Age animals preserved beneath the permafrost. This remarkable find is documented in the 2019 film "Boneyard Alaska," and has garnered attention on his popular Instagram account, @theboneyardalaska. With a unique blend of mining expertise and paleontological intrigue, John continues to captivate audiences with his extraordinary journey through Alaska’s rugged wilderness.

Key Moments

– Alaska
– Paleontology
– Mammoth Ivory
– Permafrost
– Gold Mining
– Dire Wolves
– Short-faced Bears
– Ancient Fossils
– Archaeological Excavation
– Wildlife Hunting
– Environmental Impact
– Native Alaskan History
– Bone Preservation
– University of Alaska Museum
– Gold Rush History
– Muck Hills
– Hydraulic Mining
– Conservation Laws
– Ice Age Fauna
– Podcast Interviews
0:00:22 – Acquiring the magical Alaska property
0:03:16 – Decision to move to Alaska
0:08:56 – Starting work hauling freight as a teamster
0:14:52 – Drilling for uranium in Seward Peninsula
0:17:20 – Discovery of gold dredge on property
0:22:10 – Discovery of ancient bones on the property
0:24:52 – Finding thousands of tusks and bison bones
0:25:21 – Challenges of extracting bones from permafrost
0:31:32 – Dating bones from 3,000 to 22,000 years ago
0:32:40 – Finding short-faced bear fossils
0:36:48 – Sea level rise and ancient flood theories
0:40:58 – Condition of dire wolf bones found
0:43:41 – Miniature mammoths lived until 3-4 thousand years ago
0:46:46 – Starting a bone rush and collecting fossils
0:51:36 – Paleontological value of found bones
0:55:24 – Using side-scanning sonar for bone detection
1:06:17 – Moose hunting and meat processing techniques
1:11:09 – Balancing nature and wildlife management
1:15:20 – Black bear meat as a food source
1:18:16 – Beaver impact on water systems
1:19:47 – Special significance of the ancient animal graveyard
1:23:38 – Scientific study of short-faced bears and mammoths
1:27:48 – University of Alaska Museum main fossil displays
1:30:16 – Bear encounter and safety story
1:40:51 – Community and town life in Alaska
1:46:24 – Bones sent to American Museum of Natural History
1:52:31 – Ivory burning and conservation efforts
2:00:01 – Possibility of extinct animals still existing
2:04:13 – Extent of bone extraction from five-acre site
2:07:56 – Carbon dating of fossils
2:12:36 – Arrowheads and spear points found on property
2:14:23 – Speculation on why animals died in one area
2:18:37 – Mammoth tooth pipe creation
2:20:03 – Reflections on being the discoverer of fossils
3:01:05 – Podcast wrap-up and final thoughts

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan Podcast, check it out! Starting point is 00:00:22 How the hell did you acquire this magical spot that you have in Alaska? Starting point is 00:00:45 This is where I grew up, and it was on top of an Indian mound. Starting point is 00:01:21 You might recognize his name. Starting point is 00:01:59 And that was a couple hundred pounds ago, by the way, I should mention. Starting point is 00:02:17 I start running down the field. Starting point is 00:02:52 The next year, my coach, the NCAAs were in Knoxville, Tennessee. Starting point is 00:03:16 I'm going to Alaska. Starting point is 00:03:38 So just because he said that. Starting point is 00:03:58 He said, man, if you don't get out of here, you're going to flunk out. Starting point is 00:04:23 And then after that, I went down to the registrar's office, Starting point is 00:04:50 Hitchhiked, got down to I-75 and started hitchhiking. Starting point is 00:05:02 Sniper with a shotgun? Starting point is 00:05:28 I go, what are you talking about? Starting point is 00:05:57 So I called that number. Starting point is 00:06:23 We had to drop the engine out in Tempe, Arizona. Starting point is 00:06:53 part-time job swim coach working as a film editor from the University of Alaska. Starting point is 00:07:23 I went to the NCAAs in Long Beach. Starting point is 00:07:43 I'm going to go places. Starting point is 00:08:20 I'm out of here, man. So off I went. Went back to Alaska and I've been there since. Starting point is 00:08:56 Started hauling freight as a teamster Starting point is 00:09:30 started getting going and a buddy of mine who's a diver at the University of Florida he came up Starting point is 00:10:31 The last bank we went to was the First National Bank, Starting point is 00:11:08 And we said, what's that mean? Starting point is 00:11:29 Your first delivery is sitting over at Reed Tool. Starting point is 00:11:54 We made $700 or something on that in minutes for them to drive a forkli...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1918?

John Reeves, from The Boneyard Alaska was the guest on JRE #1918. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1918?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1918 with John Reeves, from The Boneyard Alaska, topics include Paleontology, Mammoth Ivory, Permafrost, and Gold Mining.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1918?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1918 with John Reeves, from The Boneyard Alaska is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.