Bone Wars, 1877–1892

The Bone Wars describe the competitive fossil collecting of the late nineteenth century, when palaeontologists and museum sponsors raced to excavate, name and display dinosaur species from western North America. Speed and prestige sometimes encouraged poor documentation, secrecy and destructive field practices.

Dig crews worked in remote quarries under difficult conditions, while scientific credit was shaped by wealth, institutional influence and access to publication. Women often contributed illustration, preparation and field labour without receiving equal recognition.

Kimberley Woodhouse’s The Secrets Beneath and Set in Stone use the rivalry as a setting for female scientific ambition, sabotage and crime.