Visualizing the past: Nondestructive imaging of ancient fossils
Monday, November 11, 2013 - 18:30
in Paleontology & Archaeology
This shows fossil and recent araucarian cones sectioned in 2-D by microCT (A, D, G), and showing one segmented spiral or row of seeds By integrating high-resolution X-ray imaging (termed microCT), 3D image segmentation, and computer animation, a new study conducted by Carole Gee at the University of Bonn, Germany, demonstrates the visualization of fossils without destroying the material. Traditional techniques, such as thin-sectioning, require investigators to physically cut up the fossil in order to observe internal structures. Dr. Gee, however, has now successfully applied microCT to visualize silicified conifer seed cones as old as 150 million years without cutting, sawing, or damaging the specimens in any way.