#2271 - John Reeves

John Reeves has unearthed a remarkable trove of fossils and bone fragments in Alaska, revealing a prehistoric world filled with an unexpected diversity of megafauna.

Reeves Discovered Ancient Fossils and Bones of Mammoths, Saber-Toothed Tigers, Cave Bears, and Extinct Megafauna In Alaska

Site Spans 2.1 Acres; Reeves Discovered 300,000+ Fossils and Bone Fragments, Indicating a Major Prehistoric Event

Reeves' extensive excavation site spans 2.1 acres, where over 300,000 fossils and bone fragments have been discovered, pointing to a considerable prehistoric event. In this area, Rogan notes, there was an extraordinarily high concentration of remains, which may indicate a catastrophic event leading to the death and preservation of these animals.

Discovered Species' Diversity May Reveal Clues About North America's Megafauna Extinction

John Reeves has found fossils from a range of species, including saber-toothed tigers, dire wolves, badgers, elk, moose, mammoths, bison, horses, and caribou. This discovery points to a transition from grasslands supporting large megafauna to woodlands favoring different wildlife species. The diversity of unearthed species may hold clues about the mass extinction of North America's megafauna.

Reeves Preserved the Site's Integrity By Excavating Using Thawing and Hand-Sorting to Avoid Damaging Fragile Specimens

To preserve the integrity of the site and avoid damaging the fragile specimens, Reeves used a meticulous process ...

John Reeves is embroiled in a conflict with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) over the control of fossil remains, with Reeves accusing the museum of deceptive and uncooperative behavior.

Reeves Claims Amnh Deceptive and Uncooperative In Handling Remains, Taking Fossil Collections Decades ago Without Proper Study or Cataloging

John Reeves suggests that the collection taken by the AMNH along with his could offer insights into extinction events if studied together in Alaska. He accuses AMNH of being uncooperative and improperly studying the artifacts they took. Insights reveal that AMNH has held some remains for a century without fulfilling its agreement to report on every bone, only taking ones with scientific value. He mentions their failure to recognize the bones' exact origins.

Amnh Broke Agreement, Dumped Remains Into East River

Reeves discusses how the AMNH disposed of fossils into the East River, where New York City Hospital also disposed of waste. Joe Rogan adds that Dirty Water Don found items in the same place where the museum dumped the fossils. This act of improperly disposing of remains in the river has created significant challenges for future archaeologists, according to Reeves.

Reeves Seeks to Recover Alaska Fossils, but Amnh Resists Over Obstacles

Reeves conveys his reluctance to litigate, stating, "The bones ain't go anywhere. Right. If the timing ain't right, the timing ain't right. If the politics aren't right, I'm not going to litigate this. It's not worth my time." Yet, he exhibits a strong desire to retrieve the fossils and have them returned to Alaska for proper study; however, he suggests there is resistance from AMNH, further complicating the issue ...

John Reeves has made a significant discovery, emphasizing the historical and scientific significance of this find, as well as its vast potential for further research.

Reeves' Site: A Unique Snapshot of Late Pleistocene Megafauna In Alaska, With Potential for Groundbreaking Extinction Insights

Reeves' findings provide a glimpse into the Late Pleistocene era with a diverse and substantial collection of bones and fossils, which can offer insights into megafauna extinction events.

Mummified Specimens Offer Paleontological, Ecological, and Genetic Analysis Opportunities

John Reeves speaks to the depth of information his discovery can provide, offering ecological, genetic, and behavioral insights of the megafauna from a time long past. He points out that the all the bones come from a small two-acre spot, which gives researchers an intact context for their work. Newly available analyses allow scientists to determine various facts about these animals, such as diet, number of offspring, gender, and travel patterns.

Potential Human Artifacts and Megafauna Relationship

Reeves also touches on the potential for understanding the relationship between humans and megafauna, a detail underscored by the discovery of mammoth bones with spear tips, which suggests that humans interacted with these large creatures. Additionally, the unearthing of a stone tool carbon dated at 25,000 years ago, shaped and presumably used by humans, implies that there was at least some level of interaction between humans and megafauna. Reeves even speculates that humans perhaps lived alongside woolly mammoths, and they may have been domesticated for their fur ...

Reeves discusses the challenges institutions face when managing paleontological finds, reflecting broader concerns about museum practices for significant remains.

Reeves' Experiences Show Museums Monopolizing Key Archaeological and Paleontological Finds

Amnh's Alleged Unethical Practices, Including Unauthorized Removal of Reeves' Fossils, Reflect Concerns About Transparency and Accountability In Handling Significant Remains

Reeves raises serious questions about the ethics behind museum practices in managing artifacts, specifically those of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). He mentions frustration with the AMNH, which did not seize the opportunity to collaborate with him on researching bones found in Alaska. There are allegations that the AMNH engaged in dumping remains into the East River, which raises red flags concerning the museum's commitment to transparency and respectful handling of significant remains.

Reeves' Push to Study Fossils In Alaska Highlights Tensions Between Local Stakeholders and Distant Institutions

The complications involving remote institutions and local stakeholders surface as Reeves and local legislators press for the returning of fossils to Alaska. This situation highlights the disconnect between those who wish to study and preserve these remains locally and the actual management by distant institutions. Reeves has made generous offers to allow outsiders to study the fossils in Alaska, yet he signals a lack of responsiveness from external parties, indicating a te ...

John Reeves harbors deep suspicions against the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), alleging that the institution has obstructed and misled him concerning fossil discoveries on his property.

Reeves Claims Amnh Obstructed and Misled Him About Fossils Taken From His Property, Including an Allegedly Stolen Saber-Toothed Tiger Skull

During a conversation with Joe Rogan, Reeves mentions disbelief and mistrust towards AMNH's handling of his fossils. He recounts a case where a saber-toothed tiger skull, which he found, was supposed to be returned to him by the British Museum after restoration. However, he never saw it again. Reeves suggests AMNH played some part in this, as shipping records indicate that a skull was sent to them.

Rogan questions why AMNH would not acknowledge the saber-toothed tiger fossils. Reeves responds by revealing he has correspondence containing "unbelievable things," hinting at deceptive practices by AMNH and suggesting that the institution had not played fair.

Despite the absence of explicit mention in the provided transcript regarding unethical practices, unauthorized removal, or illicit disposal by AMNH, Reeves expresses frustration at their lack of cooperation and failure to obey reporting agreements. He also insinuates AMNH had engaged in grave robbing and improper artifact distribution, possibly influenced by affluent individuals seeking private collections.

Reeves alludes to instances of deception by claiming AMNH reported they did not have a saber-toothed tiger skull while contradicting shipping records in his possession.

Reeves' Corruption Accusations to Retrieve Alaska Fossils From Amnh

Reeves references a letter or note written by Childs Frick, former head of AMNH, that might relate to his endeavors to reclaim his fossils and implies corruption within AMNH. He indicates reluctance to seek legal action, ...