By combining the technologies of CT scanning and 3D printing, scientists in Germany were able to replicate a dinosaur fossil that has been encased in plaster for nearly a century.

By combining the technologies of CT scanning and 3D printing, scientists in Germany were able to replicate a dinosaur fossil that has been encased in plaster for nearly a century.

The trapped piece had been in the possession of Berlin’s natural history museum for quite some time, but having no knowledge of what was inside - and a fear of damaging whatever it was - kept them from opening it.

Its plaster housing was less of a mystery as wrapping valuable fossils up in it for transport and protection is a common practice.

This particular specimen was found beneath the wreckage of the German museum following a World War II bombing.

Determined to solve the long-standing mystery, a museum paleontologist took the block of plaster to a local hospital and requested a CT scan.

With those results, scientists were able to link the vertebrae fossil to its excavation date and site, which provided them with a wealth of information.

As an afterthought, radiologist and study author Dr. Issever, then decided to have a 3D print made from the scan.

It’s said this is the first time the two technologies have been combined for such a purpose.