Dinosaur footprint scanning in Poland

In short: perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints were found in sandstone slabs, which weighed on average from several hundred kilograms to several tons. It was difficult to transfer them from the clay mine in Borkovica, so a portable 3D scanner was used to digitize the prints for further paleontological research.
Tasks: digitization of fossils (footprints) to obtain information about dinosaurs.
Tools: Calibry 3D scanner, Calibry Nest software.
The result: 3D scans of the fossils allowed paleontologists to record at least seven different dinosaur species in the Mazovia region (Poland). They also helped in the study of their behavior.

Until recently, it seemed that Poland had few chances for impressive paleontological discoveries. However, the summer of 2021 changed that. Geologist from the Polish Geological Institute (National Research Institute), Professor Grzegorz Penkovsky, Ph.D., and Dr. Grzegorz Nedzwedzky from Uppsala University (Sweden) have discovered numerous well-preserved traces of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs. The footprints date back to the Jurassic period and have been preserved on sandstone slabs in a quarry in Borkovica.

The quality of the preserved dinosaur footprints is impressive: they are clearly visible to the naked eye. The findings point to a complex fauna that lived in the area 200 million years ago. The largest carnivorous dinosaur footprints ever recorded in Borkovica are almost 40 cm long.

"In order for the fossils to be so well preserved, a special chain of events had to occur in a short period of time: the fragmentation of the reservoir and the exposure of the clay bottom, the dinosaurs' exit to the still-wet, plastic soil, the drying of the substrate and the hardening of the tracks (as evidenced by cracks from drying), then rapid flooding of the territory and equally rapid the surface was covered with sediment from the sandbank of the overlying barrier, which turned the tracks into casts," comments Prof. Grzegorz Penkovsky.

Rare fossils are the subject of geological and paleontological research. Unfortunately, sandstone slabs are difficult to transport for further analysis, as their weight varies from several hundred kilograms to several tons. In addition, many parts of the fossils cannot be extracted without damaging the object. That’s when 3D scanning comes to the rescue.

The paw prints were scanned by a Calibry 3D scanner. It is lightweight and easy to operate — a great choice when you need to work on site. The high-resolution data allowed the experts to capture the fossils with maximum detail.

The study of fossilized footprints is of great importance to paleontologists, as it helps to learn about the behavior of ancient organisms. For example, footprints and footprints can tell scientists whether dinosaurs moved in herds or alone, how they defended themselves from predators (for example, they kept their cubs in the center of a group). Paleontologists can estimate the weight of individuals, their gait and speed.

"You can read their behavior and habits from the footprints left by dinosaurs. So, in Borkovica we have traces left by dinosaurs running, swimming, resting and sitting on muddy sediments, as well as many interesting biogenic structures, probably related to various types of life activity of dinosaurs that lived here (for example, traces of feeding or burrowing into sediments). The finds of footprints indicate an exceptionally complex fauna that once inhabited this area." — Dr. Grzegorz Niedzwedski comments.

3D scanners are widely used in paleontology to analyze, document field objects and preserve finds. They also make the discoveries of scientists more accessible to museums and a wide audience. Thus, several surfaces with paw prints found in Borkovica are of the highest value not only from a scientific point of view, but also as an exhibition object.
The prospects for research in Borkovica are promising. Administrative procedures are already underway to secure the facility.