Don Wildman

But humanity's recognition of that fact, our awakening to the Earth as a living, shifting thing,

was itself a seismic change in American thought.

Hi there, I'm Don Wildman.

Thanks for clicking through to another episode of American History Hit.

Glad you're here.

Back in the 19th century, against a backdrop of so much industrial, economic and social transformation, a tectonic shift happened to American consciousness.

It had to do with time, specifically the time the North American continent had existed.

Prior to the 1800s, there was widespread acceptance of the biblical version of cosmic origin.

The planet was 6,000 years old, and the Great Flood came about 1,500 years later.

Noah built the ark, saved the animals and mankind from death by drowning.

But that theory would be fundamentally challenged as humans began to closely consider the fossilized bones and other evidence of prehistoric creatures, all of it suggesting the Earth was much older than the Bible would have us believe.

A new book released this year grapples with this entire phenomenon and its profound implications, entitled How the New World Became Old, The Deep Time Revolution in America.

authored by historian Carolyn Winterer, the William Robertson Co-Professor of History and American Studies at Stanford University, where she also chairs the department.

It is an honor to meet you, Professor.

May I call you Carolyn?

Absolutely.

And it's a pleasure to be here as well.

The Deep Time Revolution.

Let's first consider the book's title.

What is the concept of deep time?