Environmental Science Institute

Primates and rainforests in West Texas? Dr. Kirk takes us millions of years back and discovers a time when, if you were walking through parts of Texas, you would hack your way through hot, tropical rainforests and encounter curious primates. The ‘Devil’s Graveyard’ is an isolated area of desert badlands and desolate canyons in the Big Bend country of West Texas. Although the name is intimidating, the Devil’s Graveyard is a naturalist’s treasure trove where biologists, paleontologists, anthropologists, botanists and geologists all conduct groundbreaking research. Dr. Chris Kirk shares his fossil discoveries, including several previously unknown species of early primates. These primates are part of a larger community of animals, from huge rhinos to tiny worm lizards, that are quite distinct from the inhabitants of the Big Bend today.