2016 Fall Lecture Series: Technology and Paleontology - 3D Scanning Fossils

Event Details

On October 12, at 6:00 pm, join The Charleston Museum for the second installment of our 2016 Fall Lecture Series. Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson will present on Technology and Paleontology - 3D Scanning Fossils. The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes long, followed by a brief Q&A. All lecture in this series are FREE and open to the public.

About the Lecture:

Due to their often fragile nature, the examination and study of fossils can be particularly challenging. Advances in 3D scanning technology, however, have afforded researchers the opportunity to study such specimens without risking damage from frequent handling and provides new perspective on their physical nature. Moreover, the fossils can be preserved as data files which can then be easily accessed by other researchers around the world. The Charleston Museum is currently participating in a research project with paleontologists at the New York Institute of Technology to scan and document the remarkable Oligocene whale skulls found in the Museum's Natural History collection. With this information, multiple new species found in and around the Charleston area will be classified and available for study. In his lecture on October 12, Natural History Curator Matthew Gibson will discuss the scientific value of these now documented skulls as well as give a demonstration of the 3D scanning process.

The next lecture in the series will be held on November 7. Becca Barnet of Sisal & Tow will present on The Art of Taxidermy.