Chase Pipes

An Overview of Meteorite Types

A meteorite is a piece of a meteoroid that has traveled through space and landed on a planet. When meteoroids collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, gravity and heat cause them to temporarily flare – then they become meteors.

Meteorites fall into three major categories:
iron meteorites (5 percent of total found)
stony meteorites (94 percent of total found)
stony-iron meteorites (1 percent of total found)

Each of these groups features different varieties – therefore, there are many subcategories.

Scientists suggest that iron meteorites are from asteroid cores that melted away in their lifetime. Most of these asteroids are thought to have come from the Asteroid Belt between Jupiter and Mars. Several asteroids melted when the solar system was still in its early formation. The iron in these asteroids was dense and sank, forming metal cores. Iron meteorites are the result of that dense movement. Therefore, they respond very strongly to magnets. These meteorites are mainly comprised of iron-nickel metal combined with carbide minerals and sulfide. However, the metal component ranges from 90-95 percent of the total meteorite mass.

Stony meteorites, the most common kind of meteorite, come from the outer surfaces of planets or asteroids. Consequently, they are difficult to differentiate from other earth rocks if one doesn’t know what to look for. Most stony meteorites still have enough metal to be attracted to a strong magnet. They also have a black fusion crust, which is formed on the surface as it falls through the atmosphere.

Chondrites are stone meteorites that contain chondrules, a result of a solar nebula. Chondrites are old and predate the genesis of our planet, making them the most ancient matter that astronomers and geologists can study. Their Greek name, “chondres,” means “sand grains.” Chondrules are small and grain-like, containing silicate minerals combined with tiny grains of iron-nickel alloys and sulfides. These are the solar system’s building blocks, and they have remained the same over the eons. Chondrites reveal a lot about the formation of the solar system.

On the other hand, meteorites without chondrules are called achondrites. They are extraterrestrial volcanic materials that developed as a result of volcanic activity (igneous). The recrystallization and melting removed all traces of the ancient chondrules. Consequently, achondrites do not contain iron, and because of this, they are more difficult to discover since they do not respond to magnets.

Earth, Mars, Venus, and Mercury, which all have rocky layers, were created through this igneous differentiation process. In this process, the magma cools and hardens, creating a formation with concentric layers. Therefore, studying achondrites may reveal a great deal about how Earth is structured and how it was formed.

Last, stony-iron meteorites are the least common of the three major categories, making up under 2 percent of all found meteorites. They are composed of relatively equal parts of iron-nickel metal and silicate minerals. These meteorites are regarded as the most alluring types of space rocks, and they often contain precious gemstones. Stony-iron meteorites fall into two distinct subgroups: mesosiderites and pallasites.

Pallasites, named after German biologist and adventurer Peter Pallas, are known to be rocks with a nickel-iron composition densely surrounding olivine crystals. In turn, these crystals shimmer an emerald green when they are sufficiently pure.

In contrast, the smaller, extremely rare nickel-iron and silicate mesosiderites reveal an appealing black and silver composition when cut and polished. The term “mesosiderite” comes from the Greek, and means “half iron.”

Trilobites – Body, Exoskeleton, Reproduction, and Size

Trilobites were one of the most ancient arthropods on the planet. They first appeared about 540 million years ago in the early Cambrian Period. What paleontologists know about them comes from their fossils, which are basically imprints of their exoskeletons formed in rock. Trilobites were strictly aquatic organisms thriving in the early Ordovician and Cambrian oceans. There were over 600 species, surviving at least 250 million years until they went extinct toward the end of the Permian Period.

The word trilobite means “three lobes,” and the creatures had a unique three-lobed and three segmented body structure. These three segments consisted of the tail-shield (pygidium), abdomen (thorax), and head-shield (cephalon). Under the tough exoskeleton, trilobites had six legs in three pairs attached to the head and a pair of legs for each pleural groove.

When they were alive, the trilobites’ cephalon and pygidium were fused, giving them the ability to curl into a ball for protection. Paleontologists have discovered that the Calymene Specimens from the Silurian Era could defend themselves in this manner.

However, trilobites, like other arthropods, sometimes outgrew their exoskeletons and had to molt. When they needed to shed, trilobites would find a safe location because they were vulnerable without their shells. Paleontologists and biologists suggest that molting in these arthropods was triggered by hormones. The bulging central portion of a trilobite’s cephalon is called the glabella. The cheeks on each side of the glabella had facial sutures, which helped the animal slip out of its exoskeleton when molting.

Even though discoveries have shown us that some trilobites were blind, most of them had eyes. In fact, trilobites are one of the most ancient animals with vision. Their eyes were located on the glabella cheeks. Generally, trilobites had compound eyes, which are made up of many lenses. However, the eye structures varied significantly from one trilobite to the other. Some had huge convex compound eyes similar to a housefly’s, with 360 degree vision, while others had small stalked eyes, resulting in a narrower field of vision. But their eyes were not the trilobites only sense. They also had canals, pits, and tubercles on their exoskeleton that allowed them to detect and understand their environment.

Like virtually all arthropods, paleontologists believe that trilobites reproduced sexually. It is assumed that mating occurred shortly after molting when the exoskeleton is still soft. There has been only one report of discovered fossilized eggs (in 2017) from the Cambrian eodiscid trilobites.

After emerging from eggs, trilobites underwent three distinct morphological phases: the protaspid, meraspid, and holaspid stages. However, what we know of their ontogeny is limited to how their exoskeletons changed, because that is the only evidence they left. Therefore, there is no knowledge of any early stages of trilobites that do not have a calcite exoskeleton. However, what paleontologists do know is that segments were added to the trilobites as they evolved.

In the holaspid stage, adults kept growing until environmental constraints stopped them. Some trilobites grew to huge sizes of over two feet in length. At the same time, some were barely an inch long.

How to Get Started in Historical Reenacting

Historical reenactment societies offer a fascinating glimpse into how men and women lived in bygone eras. These groups frequently specialize in war reenactments, giving members as well as the public insight into living during the pivotal events that impacted history. Each reenactment is unique in its own way, allowing participants to view an event through the eyes of those who were there and experience all the hardships associated with the period – except for getting killed or wounded in battle or contracting a deadly disease.

Reenactment societies have three main objectives: getting the details correct, having fun, and preserving history. Re-enactment does take time, and events can range from a single 2-3 hour event held once or twice a year to six three-day weekend encampments.

Members of the group are known as historical reenactors. Reenactors recreate history by portraying an individual’s appearance, actions, and life during a specific time in history. They must also thoroughly understand both the historical event and the period it happened in.

The majority of people take their roles seriously and take delight in accurately reflecting history. While some individuals take “authenticity” to extremes, most organizations welcome anyone who is interested.

Reenactors must be in good health and capable of the tolerating the physical activity and lack of modern conveniences that reenacting entails. Reenactors are regular people from various walks of life, and typically range from sixteen to sixty years old.

While men in uniform frequently garner most of the attention during war reenactment weekends, women comprise more than half of certain groups. Numerous women serve as interpreters (similar to museum docents), dressed in period costumes, directing onlookers to safe spots and explaining the unfolding events. Women also work as auxiliary members, assisting behind the scenes. Others bring muskets onto the field, as long as they dress suitably – that is, as men – to maintain the scene’s historical accuracy.

Women and non-combatants can also be spotted on the outskirts of conflicts, selling period goods, competing in culinary contests, or attending a Punch and Judy show. Children are welcome to join, although most re-enactment groups have a minimum age requirement of 12 or 13 years – especially for dangerous roles on the battlefield.

However, reenacting does involve a commitment of time and finances. Joining a living history society can be free, or require a nominal contribution to cover the cost of the group’s newsletter. However, dressing for public observation requires time and money. Some groups demand at few years of re-enactment experience, and all are incredibly careful about anachronisms. For example, there is a standard ban on wristwatches and cameras, but some discretion for wire-frame eyeglasses is allowed due to the high cost of period eyewear.

Clothing reproductions can cost several hundred dollars, while reproduction period firearms can cost up to $1,000. A basic “kit” for men costs from $300 to $350 if purchased through a catalog seller (tricorn hat, shirt, vest, breeches, stockings, garters to hold them up, and buckle shoes). Women face a comparable outlay (cap, straw hat, chemise, skirt, bodice, apron, shoes). A functional musket can cost from $500 to $700.

This is why many people immediately turn to self-made apparel. Additionally, auction sites can be good a source for vintage pieces. Finally, the groups occasionally repurpose old costumes, particularly for youngsters. Typically, basic clothing is customized if the reenactor wants to portray a certain character. Musical instruments, kitchen utensils, and pocket watches all serve as indicators of a reenactor’s identity. Generally, re-enactment groups have surplus clothing, uniforms, costumes, and props available for loan to those who are just starting out.

Tennessee’s The Relic Room Inspires Interest in Fossils

Dinosaur-themed movies and toys, along with real-life fossil discoveries, have inspired a lasting fascination with these ancient creatures that once dominated our planet. For anyone with an interest in exploring the fossils of dinosaurs and other ancient animals, there is a shop called The Smoky Mountain Relic Room in Sevierville, Tennessee, that has fossils from every epoch in history on display and for sale. The wide variety of items The Relic Room has in stock is enough to pique the interest of budding scientists and dinosaur bone collectors anywhere.

While dinosaur fossils may be the most popular, they are not the only type of ancient animal of interest to scientists and prehistoric history buffs. In fact, paleontologists have identified approximately 700 non-avian species, according to the American Museum of Natural History, with more likely to be discovered in the future.

After the dinosaurs became extinct, there was a battle for dominance among the species that remained. Each species’ survival depended on their access to life-sustaining resources. There were fluctuations in dominant species over time, as some were better suited for survival due to evolutionary advances. The history of what happened to these prehistoric species is recorded in their fossilized remains for people to learn about today.

A historian and collector affiliated with The Smoky Mountain Relic Room, Chase Pipes filmed a documentary episode on the subject of ancient mammal fossils that was published to The Relic Room’s YouTube Channel, Chasing History.

“This is why we come out into the middle of nowhere, is to show you guys the truth, the reality. It’s one thing to read a link on Facebook or to read something online. It’s another thing to actually come out into the field and see it,” Mr. Pipes said in a YouTube episode titled “Fossils Are NOT Rare.”

Recording Mr. Pipes’ forays into the field to discover and explain fossils, artifacts, and other pieces of ancient history, the Chasing History channel aims to inspire viewers to take a hands-on approach to learning about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

For people who would like to see these fossils close-up without trekking through the wilderness and digging them up, The Smoky Mountain Relic Room offers the largest collection of natural history for sale in North America. Boasting a supply of prehistoric, ethnographic, antique, and collectible items from all periods of human existence, The Relic Room’s fossil inventory includes trilobites, an ocean creature that lived more than 400 million years ago; amber with fossilized insects from around 50 million years ago; and a mammoth tooth from around 40,000 to 60,000 years ago. The business has grown such a large and diverse supply of fossils by developing relationships with dealers, collectors, and curators for more than 40 years.

If the public cannot be inspired to preserve fossils, the remains of these incredible creatures are in danger of being lost to time and the elements. The Relic Room aims to preserve history and motivate more people to take an active role in doing so.

“At the Relic Room, our mission is to inspire people to become stewards of history and collect the incredible fossils that we still have access to today. We all have a role to play in protecting prehistoric artifacts,” said Mr. Pipes.

For more information on how you can start collecting, visit TheRelicRoom.org or tune into the Relic Room’s YouTube documentary series, Chasing History.

YouTube Show Chasing History Showcases Newly Discovered Puebloan Ruins

From dinosaur fossils to the ruins of ancient civilizations, much of North America’s prehistoric history has already been discovered. However, every now and then explorers find a piece of history that has remained untouched for thousands of years.

Explorers from The Smoky Mountain Relic Room had the good fortune of finding previously undiscovered ancient ruins while on an expedition to find dinosaur fossils in a remote area of Colorado. Located in Sevierville, Tennessee, The Relic Room is North America’s largest and most diverse collection of history currently available to the public. In addition to housing a wide variety of artifacts, The Relic Room also produces a YouTube series, Chasing History, which documents the adventures of explorers and educates viewers about a variety of historical topics, including prehistoric species and past civilizations.

In spring of 2020, paleontology hobbyists from The Relic Room went on an expedition to dig up dinosaur bones on a private ranch in northwest Colorado. While there, the team heard rumors about the existence of prehistoric ruins in a nearby wilderness area accessible only by foot. While there was no record of prehistoric ruins in that area, the team from The Relic Room was determined to uncover a lost part of human history and document the discovery on film for the public to view on the Chasing History YouTube channel.

The ancestral Puebloans were the Indigenous people who resided in this part of northwest Colorado. Existing from 700 to 1130 AD, the ancestral Puebloans built remarkable prehistoric stone buildings not seen anywhere else north of Mexico. In addition to building homes and entire villages with stone, they also cultivated maize and squash, worshipped, created works of art, and had a familial and community life that resembles how we live today.

The Relic Room team had ventured on foot into the Colorado wilderness when they sighted a promising crack canyon. From a distance, they noticed traces of stone ruins at the canyon entrance. Due to the inaccessibility of the area, it took the team hours of exploring the canyon wall until they made a more exciting discovery. They had found the site of a prehistoric granary, the most intact prehistoric Native American ruins ever discovered outside of the existing national parks.

Granaries were used by the ancestral Puebloan people to store their corn and other food items. In total, explorers found six ancient granaries in the same area and more than a dozen throughout the canyon. The explorers even discovered and documented ancient corn cobs at the site. They also reported finding remnants of tools made from dinosaur gastroliths, which were stones dinosaurs ingested to help with digestion that were later found and used by prehistoric people to make useful items.

The Relic Room explorers had found remains that confirmed what history tells us about the ancestral Puebloans. North America experienced a severe drought early in the 12th century and the ancestral Puebloans were impacted as resources became more scarce. They protected themselves by moving their stone homes into the shelter of narrow canyons, making their settlements more difficult to access and easier to defend. They also camouflaged their granaries within the canyon landscape to protect their food stores from raids by neighboring groups.

Taking care to only take photos and leave the artifacts undisturbed for professional archaeological researchers, The Relic Room team filmed their discovery and published it to YouTube with the title “Newly Discovered Prehistoric Ruins.” The Smoky Mountain Relic Room and its educational initiative, Chasing History, aims to cultivate an interest in history and exploration and inspire future scientists and explorers.

Making History Accessible at the Smoky Mountain Relic Room

Chase Pipes, a historian, archaeologist, paleontologist, and anthropologist, is the proprietor of the Smoky Mountain Relic Room in Sevierville, Tennessee. In early 2020, Chase Pipes and the crew from the Relic Room attended the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show.

This event was an opportunity for enthusiasts, hosts and attendees to make history accessible (and interesting) to others. Billed as one of the largest shows of its kind, the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show had the city under occupation for the few days by artifact enthusiasts.

It also presented the opportunity for the crew at the Smoky Mountain Relic Room to make history accessible to others, a central mission of the shop’s owner. This year, the crew acquired crystals, minerals, and meteorites from as far away as Brazil, the Congo, Madagascar, and Sweden to bring back and share with people who shop at the store. These, as well as other purchases made from the show, were in line with the shop’s policies of legally purchasing artifacts through reputable sellers.

66-Pound Meteorite Discovered in Germany

Civil War Reenactments as Living History

In addition to overseeing the Smoky Mountain Relic Room in Sevierville, Tennessee, Chase Pipes’ career involves Chasing History, a show featuring a range of topics in American archaeology. As a hobby, Chase Pipes is a historical reenactor who depicts life on the frontier during the Revolutionary War, which took place in the 18th century.

Historical reenactments can be an important educational tool. However, in recent times, the value of Civil War reenactments, specifically, has been questioned. Whether these events depict particular battles of the Civil War or events like slave auctions, reenactments may fail to adequately contextualize problematic aspects of American history.

Those opposed to these events say reenacting parts of history that are painful for a significant segment of the population demonstrates a lack of cultural sensitivity. They argue these events should be discontinued. Proponents argue that Civil War reenactments provide details that cannot be adequately conveyed via textbooks, offering young people hands-on experience of historical events, culture, and attitudes.

The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries in Tennessee

The co-owner and operator of the Smoky Mountain Relic Room in Sevierville, Tennessee, Chase Pipes is interested in history, archaeology, paleontology, and related disciplines. In addition to operating the Smoky Mountain Relic Room, Chase Pipes serves as a member of the Smoky Mountain Historical Society, an organization with a mission of preserving the histories of Blount County, Cocke County, and Sevier County in Tennessee.

The Smoky Mountain Historical Society has provided researchers and collectors with a valuable resource – the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The website provides an interactive map with a variety of information. The map can be used to hone in on a specific area or expand the search.

The atlas can be used in fields spanning history, demography, economics, law, geography, and politics. The information in the atlas can be used to analyze or interpret past events and historical data, such as elections and census information, and other state and local history.