New Database Lets Users Explore, Interact and 3D Print Fossils

The innovations of 3D modeling and additive manufacturing (AM) have assisted research efforts of scientists in a number of fields. Digital reconstruction efforts have brought life to ancient Egyptians, built new models of dinosaurs, and reproduced ancient writings. While a few students and scientists might get to play with these 3D printed replicas, these kinds of models haven't been released to the general public until now.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has begun the lengthy process of scanning and uploading its entire 3 million plus collection of fossils into a database open to the public. Users can browse the database, investigate interactive 3D models, view the models in 3D (with the proper eye wear), and even 3D print out models at home. 

The project is sponsored in part by Jisc, a charity that encourages technological innovation in the UK. Other institutions lending support include the National Museum of Wales, the Sedgwick Museum Cambridge, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Geological Curators’ Group.

“A unified database of type-specimens is useful but, for it to be really useful, people need images of the physical items,” said Peter Findlay, program manager, Jisc. “3D-printed models offer the opportunity to engage with a physical facsimile which can really transform someone’s understanding and at the same time reduce access costs and the need to handle originals. As part of Jisc’s vision to provide simple and fast access to digital content, we’re delighted to fund this project, bringing these artefacts to life and into the hands of those fascinated by fossils.”

Along with acting as a general database for fossils, the BGS believes that allowing people to view the specimens in 3D, rather in flat 2D, might generate more excitement. Many of the fossils on display in the collection aren't readily obtainable by your average user, but the new program allows anyone with internet access the freedom to explore the fossil history.

Hopefully, other institutions will take note of the experiment and reproduce it with their own collections. I'd enjoy a virtual, 3D tour through museums of all sorts, and students of all ages would profit from having 3D representations of their studies floating in front of them.

The GB3D digital collection can be found here. Below you'll find a video example of some of what is on display in the collection.

Source: British Geological Survey