Paleontologists reconstructed the skulls of dinosaur embryos using 3D printing
Dinosaurs became extinct about 66 million years ago. But the study of their remains continues. An international group of paleontologists reconstructed the skulls of several Mesopondylus embryos using 3D printing technology.
Reconstruction work was carried out by scientists working at the University of South Africa at Witwatersrand. The subject of reconstruction was the skulls of Mesopondylus embryos — dinosaurs that lived in the territory of modern South Africa 200 million years ago, writes "Popular Mechanics."
For work, paleontologists used an electric synchrotron. Other methods were not suitable due to the fragility and small size of the embryos.
During the study, scientists found that dinosaur embryos developed as did their modern relatives — crocodiles, lizards, turtles. Also, this discovery made it possible to establish at what stage they died — approximately 60% of their development. It was previously believed that this happened before hatching from eggs.
“It is amazing that over the 250 million years of reptile evolution, the developmental process of the skulls of their embryos has remained virtually unchanged,” says Professor Jonah Chuanier, one of the participants in the research team.
Recently, based on the analysis of ancient shell archaeologists from the Free University of Brussels found that 70 million years ago, the day lasted half an hour less than now.
Reconstruction work was carried out by scientists working at the University of South Africa at Witwatersrand. The subject of reconstruction was the skulls of Mesopondylus embryos — dinosaurs that lived in the territory of modern South Africa 200 million years ago, writes "Popular Mechanics."
For work, paleontologists used an electric synchrotron. Other methods were not suitable due to the fragility and small size of the embryos.
During the study, scientists found that dinosaur embryos developed as did their modern relatives — crocodiles, lizards, turtles. Also, this discovery made it possible to establish at what stage they died — approximately 60% of their development. It was previously believed that this happened before hatching from eggs.
“It is amazing that over the 250 million years of reptile evolution, the developmental process of the skulls of their embryos has remained virtually unchanged,” says Professor Jonah Chuanier, one of the participants in the research team.
Recently, based on the analysis of ancient shell archaeologists from the Free University of Brussels found that 70 million years ago, the day lasted half an hour less than now.
