The Bone Wars

The Bone Wars, also known as the Great Dinosaur Rush, was a competitive rivalry in the late 19th century between paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. Their quest to discover and name dinosaur fossils in North America led to rapid and aggressive excavations, often at the expense of scientific integrity. The rivalry included professional sabotage, vandalism of excavations, and exaggerated claims to outdo each other. Despite their conflict, the Bone Wars significantly advanced paleontology, greatly expanding our understanding of dinosaurs, although it also involved controversy and unethical practices.