The Dig
The Dig explores the experience of a group of Christian professors, scientists and students who spend a month of every year undertaking paleontological research in a remote part of Eastern Wyoming. The story follows a young scientist as he takes the baton of leadership from the founder of the project, Dr. Art Chadwick, an older geologist who is struggling to pass it to the next generation. The series shows the personal drive, cutting-edge research, and the many challenges faced by the most committed members of the group, some of whom have been involved for 20 years. The goal of the series is to reveal the search for what the data shows regarding dinosaurs, through the lens of real people and their commitment to this quest. The Dig will show that Christians need not be afraid of good science and allowing the data to speak for itself.
About The Dig
Hope Channel International has partnered with Southwestern Adventist University and the Dinosaur Science Museum to create a thought - provoking mini documentary series, The Dig. The Dig will premiere on January 3, 2020 as all episodes will be available to watch on the Hope Channel App, and DirecTV 368.
For one month every year, Dr. Art Chadwick and Dr. Jared Wood travel from Southwestern Adventist University to the 8,000-acre Hanson Ranch and Research Center in Eastern Wyoming. They are joined by over a hundred participants consisting of scientists, students, and paleontology enthusiasts from around the world.
The Dig is a reality series that lets the viewer experience the sights, sounds, and stories of a summer with the research team. Directed by award-winning filmmaker and Southwestern Adventist University communication professor, Paul Kim, the series features stunning imagery of Eastern Wyoming and its epic storms, while giving a compelling depiction of the emotional journey undertaken by everyone who makes it through the month-long adventure.
“Most people who are interested in paleontology are absorbed in the dinosaurs themselves, as they are such fascinating creatures that we are still trying to better understand”, says Paul Kim, Director of The Dig. “But what drew me to this project was the human story behind the excavation--the compelling characters who found this work to be so important and fun that they would dedicate so much of their time and so much physical effort into paleontology, year after year.”
The Dig Lecture Series
January 3, 2020
EVIDENCE FOR INTELLIGENT DESIGN
In this lecture Chadwick probes the issues that arise when you take the designer out of origins. How can evolutionists explain the intricacies of modern molecular biology using only random processes and chance? The earliest fossils already had all the complexity at the cellular level that is present in any modern cell. Where did this design originate?
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DINOSAURS
What can we learn about dinosaurs by excavating a huge bed of dinosaur bones for over 20 years? How have we advanced the science of paleontology? What happened to the dinosaurs? These and other questions are considered.
THE DINOSAURS INTRO
Knowing about dinosaurs also requires that you have some background in geology. In this lecture, Chadwick presents basic information about geology that will help prepare the students for a deeper understanding of dinosaurs.
THE DINOSAURS & THEIR EXPLORERS
An introductory lecture on the origin of the concept of dinosaurs and the scientists who hunted for them.
TAXONOMY, SYSTEMATICS, AND THE FOSSIL RECORD
Chadwick discusses the fossils and fossil record of the Mesozoic, including the kinds of conditions the dinosaurs lived under and what we can learn about the Mesozoic flora and fauna from the fossil record.
SAUROPODS
Chadwick presents an introduction to the systematics of the Sauropod dinosaurs. This is the group that includes the largest land animals that have ever lived.
THEROPODS
In this lecture, Dr. Wood presents his take on the Theropod dinosaurs. His interesting lecture includes a consideration of all those dinosaurs that are carnivorous.
WHY REAL SCIENCE REALLY MATTERS
Geologic time is one of the issues that occasions challenges to belief in creation more than any other. How do creationists deal with the issues of time. Chadwick tells of his research on issues dealing with deep time.
THYREOPHORA
Chadwick introduces the Thyreophora, the Shield-bearers, a group of dinosaurs that includes Nodosaurus, a clade that are found on the Ranch
ORNITHOPODS
This group (Bird-feet) includes the most abundant dinosaurs on the ranch. The hadrosaurs are ornithopods that include one of the largest Upper Cretaceous dinosaurs and also one of the most abundant. Chadwick here presents the group that includes Edmontosaurus, the duck-billed dinosaur.
MARGINOCEPHALIA
These unique and interesting creatures include the famous Triceratops. Chadwick finishes off the dinosaur groups in this lecture.
ORIGIN OF MAN
This challenging lecture is presented by Chadwick to finish off the lecture series. Where did we come from? What are the fossil hominids and what do they mean?
