Over 800 delegates from around the world participated in the 12th quadrennial North American Paleontological Convention at the University of Michigan, over five days in mid-June this year.

Screenshot from https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/napc2024/

An opening plenary, "Paleontology for All" alerted us to the need to ‘decolonize’ much paleontology of earlier times, without denigrating its scientific accomplishments, and to embrace the contributions to our science of people from all cultures and walks of life. Over four days, more than 30 theme sessions and symposia included talks and posters addressing all aspects of paleontology. A mid-conference break featured hands-on workshops, field trips, and tours of research collections. Overnight pre- and post-conference fieldtrips highlighted the fossil record of Michigan and adjacent states.

A highlight of the meeting for some participants was to see and study two magnificent reconstructions of mastodons in the University Museum. These record multiple aspects of mastodon paleobiology, including their migrations and the death of one male, with its skull deeply pierced by the long horn of a competitor.

Eric Bronson / Michigan Photography / University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Eric Bronson / Michigan Photography / University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

The next North American Paleontological Convention will take place in 2028 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.