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Just under 7 years ago (though I remember it like yesterday), I had the great good fortune to go out fossil hunting on (in) the Peace River with forum member, fossil hunter extraordinaire, and all-around great guy @Sacha. We went out to a site that at the time was producing some nice mammoth material which I was calling the "Elephant's Graveyard" or the "Proboscidean Pocket". John was consistently pulling up some nice specimens but I just wasn't quite turning up the goods--until I did. I lucked into not only a trip-maker of a find but still my most impressive fossil from the river. If you missed this back when it happened you can catch-up on a trip report for a really great outing here: http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/54684-more-may-mammoth-mania/ I've pulled a number of good size chunks of mammoth tooth from the river but that day in May was the only complete mammoth tooth I've ever found. I've since donated all of the partial specimens to the FLMNH's Peace River Paleo Project (PRiPP): https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/vertpaleo/amateur-collector/pripp/ I've kept back the complete tooth for a while longer since seeing it in the house when I walk by it recalls the fond memories of its discovery. Eventually, before long it too will end up with the FLMNH collection. When I donated the other mammoth molar chunks Richard Hulbert mentioned that it would be a good idea some day to have the complete tooth scanned. This could allow the 3D model of this tooth to be viewed by researchers or possibly provided as a downloadable model for teachers or others to 3D print a (less weighty) copy of their own. Since the prep lab in Dickinson Hall on the UF campus opened back up last summer I've had the opportunity to volunteer a couple of days a week prepping a variety of fossils. Several times the fossil that I had just finished cleaning up was taken for 3D imaging. Just down the hall from the prep lab is the office where the do some of the specimen imaging. Victoria Tran, a student at UF, who has learned how to use the 3D scanner over the last couple of years and works for the museum producing some wonderful 3D models of a variety of interesting specimens (turtles, tortoises, alligator skulls, etc.). We've chatted about the technology which is right up my alley as it combines computers, photography and fossils. I've watched her work on several scans and the process is really technological magic and great fun to watch as the image takes shape on the computer screen. I had cause to bring my mammoth tooth into Dickinson and it occurred to me that this would be a good time to have it scanned as Richard had suggested last year. I got the approval to have Victoria spend a bit of time imaging the big tooth and took a few snaps (and some inexpertly executed short video captures) to give others a bit of a peek as to how this process works. Victoria scanning the mammoth tooth from several angles on a turntable which she can rotate as she captures various views. Video1.mp4 Editing away (in pink) pixels from the turntable base. Three different views (color coded) of the tooth seen as a surface mesh. Color information wrapped onto the 3D mesh surface. The various scans from the multiple viewpoints are aligned and combined by the software (the tech magic) and a final composite is created. A little bit of clean-up and post-processing and the 3D model will be complete. Video2.mp4 Just thought I'd share this fascinating technology with those who don't have access to the inner workings of a museum. Cheers. -Ken

Do paleontologists use modern evolving equipment like drones to scour remote plateaus or steep dangerous cliffs ? Also with the advancement in facial recognition cameras could someone develop a software recognition program containing all main shapes and sizes of dinosaur fossils known, to electronically scan ground surface via a programmed drone. It would seem that the discovery process for paleontology is still the same as prior generations. Just curious as to the future in regards to ground imaging/penetration. If a surveillance camera can Id a person on city street by facial clues could that not be capitalized on for surface discovery. Just a thought. Wouldnt it be cost effective instead of relying on human eyes/time and random hikes.

Hi! I recently acquired a bunch of microfossil samples for kids to play but did not expect them to be so small. We tried some microscopy but ended up applying a little trick that actually to helped to film them "in action", which was kind of cool. I do not know if this technique is a common knowledge or not but I decided to share. Perhaps, it will be of use to somebody. Here you go: Any suggestions for improvements? Thanks!