The British Geological Survey (BGS) has launched the world's first 3D virtual fossil collection to the public. Thousands of 3D digital fossil models, plus several thousand quality images, many in 3D, can now be browsed and downloaded for free on a computer, tablet or phone.
The GB3D Type Fossils Online project, funded by Jisc, has rescued fossils from dusty drawers and made them available for academics, researchers and fossil enthusiasts to enjoy at their leisure. To celebrate the launch, the BGS is running a free competition for the public at a number of museums around the country.
Over the next three weeks, visitors are invited to spot 3D-printed fossils among museum displays and enter a draw for VIP behind-the-scenes museum tours. One overall winner, drawn from all of the regional entries, will also receive a tablet computer pre-loaded with 3D fossils.
In the UK, fossil type specimens are stored in a number of locations across the country and there is no easy way to search across the many different catalogues. The GB3D Type Fossils Online project has developed a single database of type specimens, held in British collections, of macrofossil species and subspecies found in the UK. This includes links to photographs and laser scans of the best to produce a selection of 3D digital models.
The BGS has carried out the work in collaboration with its partners: The National Museum of Wales; The Sedgwick Museum Cambridge; The University Museum of Natural History Oxford; and the Curators' Group, which represents a number of regional museums.
The competition closes on September 12. 2013 and competition rules can be found on the project blog.
