{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"In The NoCo","title":"These tiny, fossilized teeth found near Colorado Springs may rewrite our understanding of early mammal life ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":525,"description":"A recent discovery by paleontologists working in Colorado is giving scientists a slightly revised history of primates. That’s the group of mammals that includes apes – and humans.  \nScientists working at Corral Bluffs near Colorado Springs recently discovered tiny teeth and bone fragments belonging to a species called Purgatorius.  \nPurgatorius was an early and distant cousin of humans. It thrived 65 million years ago  – not long after an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. \nPurgatorius fossils had never been found as far south as Colorado before this recent dig. And scientists say the discovery suggests that, once dinosaurs were out of the picture, mammals may have thrived more quickly – and over a wider swath of the planet – than previously understood. \nJordan Crowell is a postdoctoral fellow with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, who worked with dozens of volunteers and other scientists on the dig near Colorado Springs. He joined Erin O’Toole to talk about what they found, and why scientists are excited by the discovery. \n* * * * *\n\nSign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org\nQuestions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org\nLike what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!\n \nHost and Producer: Erin O'Toole\nExecutive Producer: Brad Turner\n \nTheme music by Robbie Reverb\nAdditional music by Blue Dot Sessions\nIn The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.\n\n ","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/deJ82RY9r1q1D4I5ARzsuuMZw17RvtIT7PwnQQPLPzk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI5MDcyLzE2OTUw/NzA5NjEtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}