Fossilized Dinosaur Chase Scene Rendered in 3D from Old Photos

Fossilized dinosaur tracks in Glenn Rose, Texas - perhaps some of the most well-known on Earth - have been rendered into an accurate 3D model based on photographs taken 70 years ago before the site was excavated and placed in museums or lost over time.

The photographs were taken by Roland T. Bird his discovery and excavation of the site, and the 3D scan used photogrammetric techniques to reconstruct the site, which included a renowned "chase sequence" involving a theropod and a sauropod that took place 110 million years ago.

Over time, the entire trackway was removed from the riverbed where it formed and divided into blocks, some of which were lost.

But photographs of the fossilized trackway before it was removed enabled the scientists to digitally recreate it in great detail.

A team of scientists from the Royal Veterinary College, London, led the 3D conversion using freely available software.

"When we first set out to map the Paluxy River track, creating an accurate 3D model of the site required use of a large, heavy laser scanner that cost tens of thousands of pounds, and was prone to failure especially in the extreme heat in Texas," said study leader Peter Falkingham. "However, in recent years the technology of photogrammetry has significantly improved to the point where we were, for the first time, able to use this free software to get results just as - if not more - accurate than from use of a laser scanner."

Preserving the site and the remaining unexcavated tracks, has been threatened over the years by the destructive forces of the Paluxy River running nearby.

"This is a significant advancement for the protection of sites and artifacts of paleontological importance," Falkingham continued, highlighting the importance of preserving the site. "It is only natural that specimens will be lost or deteriorate over time, particularly those such as fossil trackways that must remain in the field. But this technology has opened up an avenue for recreating these important sites and artifacts at little cost. All you now need are multiple photographs taken from different angles to be able to create accurate 3D models."

The BBC has published a video revealing more of the 3D model. 

An article detailing the 3D-modelling process is available in the the journal PLOS One.