Digging for dinos. Live.

August 5, 2010 1:16 AM

From August 2 to 18 there are fourteen Norwegian reptile hunters doing field work at the foot of the Janus Mountain in Svalbard, digging for remains of prehistoric sea monsters from the Jurassic period.

And it's all being streamed live, via four webcams.

Svalbard is above the Arctic Circle, so the midnight sun should keep the camp illuminated even during the night. Keep an eye out for polar bears!

posted by Bukvoed (20 comments total)

Well, I've been watching for a while and so far they've just been digging up dirt. My limited understanding of archeological field work comes from the Indiana Jones movies, so I'm going to keep watching, because any moment now ghost spirits should eat Nazis, and I don't want to miss that.
posted by twoleftfeet at 1:32 AM on August 5, 2010 [4 favorites]

This is some cool shit...
posted by sfts2 at 2:25 AM on August 5, 2010

That's not a plesiosaur, that's a BLUE HADES!
posted by eriko at 2:27 AM on August 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

When I first looked, it was just a wide shot of the dig from afar. Now they have gotten the camera closer and you can see what they are working on.

Very cool.
posted by lampshade at 2:31 AM on August 5, 2010

My limited understanding of archeological field work comes from the Indiana Jones movies

These guys are paleontologists, not archaeologists so the things you have to worry about are (a) stumbling on an opening to a gigantic undergound cavern where prehistoric creatures survive to this day or (b) accidental cloning of the dead dinosaurs.
posted by Dr Dracator at 2:46 AM on August 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

Or (c) spirits of ichthyosaurs that eat Nazis but finding no Nazis . . . eat YOU!
posted by IvoShandor at 2:49 AM on August 5, 2010

The expedition, by the way, is led by Jørn Hurum, known for his work on Ida.
posted by Bukvoed at 3:13 AM on August 5, 2010

On first scan of the FPP I read it as digging for prehistoric sea monsters which were then, horrifyingly enough, going to be steamed alive.

It's awfully early here.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 3:17 AM on August 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

the things you have to worry about are... (b) accidental cloning of the dead dinosaurs.

Ju bet Jurassic.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:50 AM on August 5, 2010

See, now *this* is quality television. Badass, ponytailed whitehairs who swing pickaxes, and motherflipping dinosaurs.

Cheers, Bukvoed. This rocks.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:00 AM on August 5, 2010

Actually DOING paleontology is not as exciting as it's cracked up to be ... a disappointment to former 6-year-olds everywhere. Mostly, it's sitting in the dirt and digging until you find some small, complicated bone fragment (or walking around watching the dirt until you spot something). Lots of waiting, but with really sweet rewards!
posted by ChuraChura at 4:42 AM on August 5, 2010

Hey, you in the black sweater- How bout a little less talking and a little more digging, eh? That dirt ain't gonna move itself.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 5:09 AM on August 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

Early morning Chicago here and I'm looking through a digital window to an afternoon 3600 miles north where some Norwegians in Svalbard look 200 million years into the past. Science!
posted by kitsy at 5:12 AM on August 5, 2010 [3 favorites]

Look at those Norwegians go! Aaaaw! This is cuter than Puppy Cam!
posted by soundofsuburbia at 5:35 AM on August 5, 2010

...or (d), discovering a alien spacecraft which has been frozen in ice since prehistoric times, and thawing out its weird and pissed off pilot.
posted by steef at 5:46 AM on August 5, 2010

Some things strike me as obvious candidates for Live Streaming Technology!, but paleontological field digs aren't one of them.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:11 AM on August 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

Look at those Norwegians go! Aaaaw! This is cuter than Puppy Cam!

Gah. Norwegian polar dig? Yes yes, "puppy cam".

*keeps rifle sights on sled dogs*
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:38 AM on August 5, 2010

I feel a bit like Camera 2's view of the fjord is evidence that the mission is actually a Norwegian Tourism Board advertisement green screened with some folks doing digging - not that I'm complaining. Kinda fascinating, and what kitsy said - I'm viewing the past via the present miles away but so close too. Neat stuff. I like puppy cams and hummingbird cams too, but this is neat :)

Sigh... whenever I want to spend less time online, somebody inevitably shows me something that reminds me why I love life online too...
posted by rmm at 9:43 AM on August 5, 2010

Minor quibble: Plesiosaurs weren't dinosaurs.
posted by coolguymichael at 12:10 PM on August 5, 2010

What a strange place. Norway, but with a Soviet settlement and mine.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:41 PM on August 5, 2010