A brand new online database, Digitised Diseases, provides 3D models of human bones with various diseases, disorders, trauma (including accidental and intentional) et cetera. Each entry has a brief description of the pathology, and links to either download the models or view them online.
3D model of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperotosis (DISH) in the sacrum of an adult male. The following description is included with the model: "There is ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, which bridges the intervertebral disc space to the fifth lumbar vertebra. Underneath this outer ossified ligamentous layer are marginal osteophytes along the anterior and lateral body margins. The alae have broken post-mortem, but would have been fused to the ossa coxae in life." Image from Digitised Diseases.
I'd love to create a similar online database for dinosaur fossils. It's a very long term goal for me, but us taphonomists can dream, can't we? And it would fit the goals of those calling for more open access for digital fossils: that museums shouldn't restrict the distribution of photographs and 3D models of their fossil specimens.
UPDATE: I've just been informed that a database of 3D fossil holotypes does exist at GB3D Type Fossils Online. Thus far it only includes 3D models of two dinosaur fossils (Camptosaurus prestwichii and Zanclodon cambrensis). But it does have a lot of fish, invertebrate, and plant fossil 3D scans, and as they mention on the website, "Check back regularly as new specimens, photographs and 3D models are being added all the time."
Although this database only covers holotypes thus far, I'm sure as it grows they may add more specimens, and perhaps even add different categories for pathologies!
Although this database only covers holotypes thus far, I'm sure as it grows they may add more specimens, and perhaps even add different categories for pathologies!
