Direct detection experiments have delivered impressive limits on the
interaction strength of dark matter with nuclei. A large experimental
program is underway to extend the sensitivity of direct detection
experiments, however, such experiments are becoming increasingly
difficult and costly. Recently, we proposed paleo-detectors as an
alternative approach to the direct detection of dark matter: Instead of
searching for dark matter induced nuclear recoils in a real-time
laboratory experiment, we propose to search for the traces of dark
matter interactions recorded in ancient minerals over geological
time-scales. In this talk I will discuss this proposal, including ways
to mitigate backgrounds and methods to read out tracks from ancient
minerals. I will also briefly discuss some preliminary results for
applications of paleo-detectors beyond dark matter, e.g. for searching
for neutrinos from core collapse supernovae.
