Trevor Valle

Date: 2014-10-23 | Duration: 1h 24m

Episode Overview

Trevor Valle dives deep into the world of paleontology and archaeology, sharing vivid stories from his fieldwork uncovering ancient fossils and frozen mammoths. He explains the challenges of excavating delicate remains, often found beneath urban landscapes like downtown Los Angeles, where massive excavation machines unearth whale bones and prehistoric sharks. Valle offers insight into the preservation of specimens in permafrost, recounting his experiences with remarkably intact woolly mammoth carcasses in Siberia, including the discovery of liquid blood and soft tissue—rare finds that open new doors for biological study. The conversation also explores the fascinating history of animal domestication, particularly the idea that wolves domesticated themselves by approaching humans, rather than the other way around. Valle touches on the complexities of evolutionary science, discussing neo-Darwinism and the ongoing debates within the field. He shares anecdotes from his travels with indigenous peoples, such as the Nenets reindeer herders, highlighting the cultural connections to ancient animals. Throughout, Valle’s passion for data-driven science and his respect for the natural history of these creatures shine, offering listeners a compelling glimpse into the intersection of science, history, and adventure.

About Trevor Valle

Trevor Valle is a distinguished paleontologist and the host of the upcoming NatGeo Channel series "Mammoth Unearthed," debuting October 26th. With a robust background in prehistoric research, Valle has made significant contributions to our understanding of ancient ecosystems, particularly through his work on ice age fauna. Known for his captivating storytelling and expert insights, he brings the fascinating world of paleontology to life, making complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. His recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience highlights his passion for uncovering the mysteries of the past and showcases his ability to spark curiosity about the natural world.

Key Moments

– Paleontology
– Fossil Excavation
– Woolly Mammoths
– Permafrost Preservation
– Megalodon Sharks
– Saber-Toothed Cats
– Archaeology
– Evolutionary Biology
– Cloning Ethics
– Ancient DNA
– Pleistocene Epoch
– Animal Domestication
– Native Siberian Cultures
– Geology
– Scientific Method
– Confirmation Bias
– Natural Philosophy
– T-Rex Fossils
– Mammoth Butchering Practices
0:00:41 – Introduction to California's SEQUA law for fossils
0:02:34 – Discovery of ancient whale fossils in downtown LA
0:03:26 – Techniques for fossil preservation using plaster
0:04:17 – Discussion on natural philosophy and Darwin's Origin of Species
0:06:15 – Protocol when bones run out during excavation
0:08:40 – Finding megalodon shark teeth in urban areas
0:11:11 – Effects of weathering on exposed fossils
0:12:48 – Meteor impact theories related to mammoth extinction
0:14:10 – Pygmy mammoths on Channel Islands explained
0:14:52 – Characteristics of saber-toothed cats
0:18:51 – Rarity of finding intact carcasses
0:20:50 – Discovery of the Hobbit man in Flores
0:25:35 – Theory that wolves domesticated themselves
0:28:17 – Concept of grass-fed labeling in food
0:34:09 – Nanette people and reindeer blood rituals
0:38:17 – Finding and studying whole mammoth bodies
0:41:59 – Process of locating woolly mammoth remains
0:48:13 – Biological study of mammoth tusks and tissue
0:51:13 – Discovery of liquid blood in frozen mammoth
0:56:14 – Ethical considerations of cloning mammoths
0:58:07 – Decomposition differences in frozen mammoth tissue
1:01:06 – Risks of ancient pathogens from thawed specimens
1:05:47 – Expertise in T-Rex skeleton discoveries
1:08:14 – Challenging established geological timelines
1:10:47 – Distinction between belief and scientific evidence
1:16:45 – Discussion on neo-Darwinism and alternative evolution theories
1:17:59 – Mention of Mary Lou Henner and cultural references
1:19:43 – Closing remarks and fossil hunting encouragement

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 the Joe Rogan experience Starting point is 00:00:23 you just start talking Starting point is 00:00:41 So here in the state of California, we have a uh a law called sequa it was started in Starting point is 00:01:20 and the bones and all that that get found by 40-ton excavation machines Starting point is 00:01:51 Yeah. Starting point is 00:02:34 old whale whoa where there's no water right now holy shit think like downtown la whale wow Starting point is 00:03:26 of this table a jacket yeah um sorry i'm like thrown out terms we wrap uh fossils in plaster Starting point is 00:03:52 I mean, it's like 19, 20 ribs, like three or four verts, Starting point is 00:04:17 philosophy natural philosophy natural philosophy wow so uh like in the 1860s when darwin released uh origin of the species his big book on Starting point is 00:05:19 wearing jeans today but i'm like i've got them all over my legs too and they're all like science Starting point is 00:06:15 when the bones run out we stop and then we dig underneath but sometimes when we dig underneath Starting point is 00:06:50 We close down the site, so they can't even get near us unless we let them. Starting point is 00:07:25 sand and uh yeah he was getting kind of savage with me he's like you're stopping my guys for Starting point is 00:08:10 Everybody has their own agenda. Starting point is 00:08:40 before that whoa that's what i'm saying is like yeah when you find big sharks like that you can find their food yeah megalodon in downtown la is it megalodon is that how you say it or is Starting point is 00:09:31 the tooth was you're absolutely right and he was like no it's fucking tooth i'm like dude it used Starting point is 00:09:58 And it's a fucking rock. Starting point is 00:10:22 yeah there was skin hair like i played with its lips Starting point is 00:11:11 top half has been exposed to weathering and all that but the bottom half stayed in frozen mud and Starting point is 00:11:41 The name sounds...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #565?

Trevor Valle was the guest on JRE #565. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #565?

On Joe Rogan Experience #565 with Trevor Valle, topics include Paleontology, Fossil Excavation, Woolly Mammoths, and Permafrost Preservation.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #565?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #565 with Trevor Valle is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.