Computed tomography revolutionizing paleontological research

Guardian : The oldest lizard preserved in amber, a Cretaceous bird embryo hidden in a fossil egg, and a Middle Jurassic dinosaur jaw are just a few examples of the types of material that can be studied in depth through the use of x-ray computed tomography. Unlike CT scanning used by medical professionals on living patients, the micro-CT developed for paleontological work uses much higher doses of x rays and can penetrate much denser materials, including rock. After a CT scanner takes thousands of radiographs from different angles, software splices the images together into a three-dimensional graphic. Although the technology is not perfect—it can’t penetrate anything especially dense, crystallized, or metallic—it enables scientists to study fossil remains without destroying them. CT scans can also be enlarged to facilitate the study of tiny samples or to serve as blueprints for 3D printed models. As the technology continues to improve, scientists could learn much more about the creatures that inhabited Earth long before humans.