The modern comparison: a secret world of soil life

Palaeontology may be about fossils, but there's more to it... because fossils are only a tiny subset of what was once alive. By understanding the modern world, we can start to make sense of what we see in the rocks. And besides all that, it's just fascinating! This video is an exploration of my 'sideline' in entomology, diving into the world of soil invertebrates - mainly springtails and mites. It's an introduction to the process of finding and identifying them, and also a bit of a rumination on how we can learn from it all, as palaeontologists. There's even a musical interlude to finish with, because people keep asking for more harping! Music: 'The light of the star' (composed to accompany Galadriel's farewell to the Fellowship in the Lord of the Rings... although Peter Jackson got his own version written, unfortunately!)