Scansite Case Study #81

Scanning a life size Triceratops Skeleton
Smithsonian Institution

Problems and Opportunities:
The original fossil was found in Wyoming in the 1890's and was mounted at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. in 1903. For over half a century it had stood in the rotunda of Dinosaur Hall as one of the Smithsonian's signature exhibits.

The method originally used to preserve the fossilized bones, soaking them in shellac, had caused the bones to deteriorate. And, since the original skelton was found with many bones missing, the restoration did not meet current standards of scientific authenticity.

1. Original skeleton mounted in Dinosaur Hall at the Smithsonian Institution.	2. Original skeleton mounted in Dinosaur Hall at the Smithsonian Institution.

 

Thus the Smithsonian decided to "de-mount" the exhibit, and restore the skeleton. At the same time, there was the opportunity to create a "digital dinosaur" - a complete 3-dimensional computer file of the triceratops' fossilized bones. This could be used for bio-mechanical studies, archiving the bones for replication, and replacing missing or damaged parts with CNC Milling or Rapid Prototyping techniques.

3. Bones of the de-mounted triceratops being restored.
3. Bones of the de-mounted triceratops being restored.