Researcher develops downloadable 3D surface file to print 200 million year old dinosaur skull. And you can do the same at home.

Thanks to the pioneering efforts by Kimi Chapelle, a PhD student at the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, the reconstruction of dinosaur fossils has been achieved with a standard 3D printer.

Chapelle utilized computed tomography (CT) to recreate each bone of the skull of a Massospondylus dinosaur. Her research encompassed studying tiny features of the skull right down to the nerves within the brain.

The Massospondylus was originally discovered in 1854 in South America. It received its name by explorer and anatomist Sir Richard Owen. Fossils of the species have been uncovered across South Africa. However, until now, an anatomical investigation of its skull had not been undertaken.

“I was amazed when I started digitally reconstructing Massospondylus’ skull, and found all these features that had never been described,” explained Chapelle. “It just goes to show that researchers still have a lot to learn about South Africa’s dinosaurs.”

The findings of the study — together with the digital files — have been published in the open access journal PeerJ.

 

Massospondylus Dinosaur Skull Reveals Dietary Habits

Alongside the paper, anyone who’s interested can also download the 3D surface file of the skull. This allows members of the public and other researchers to print their own Massospondylus dinosaur skull.

Once Chapelle began to digitally reconstruct the skull, she noted interesting elements. In particular, she noted a lack of fusing among bones around the dinosaur’s skull.

By creating a full 3D model of the skull, researchers can assess how dinosaurs may have moved their heads and bodies. In addition, jaw and teeth structures enable a better study of a species’ dietary habits.

“You can actually see tiny replacement teeth in the bones of the jaws, showing us that Massospondylus continuously replaced its teeth, like crocodiles do, but unlike humans that can only do it once,” Chapelle added.

The research lays the groundwork — excuse the pun — for future generations of paleontology students to use 3D scanning and printing technology in exciting ways.

Source: University of Witwatersrand