THREE-DIMENSIONAL LASER-SCANNING: IMPLICATIONS FOR DIGITAL ARCHIVING AND PRESERVATION OF THE TYPE SPECIMEN OF EUBRONTES (?) GLENROSENSIS SHULER, 1935 FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF TEXAS

The type specimen of the ichnospecies Eubrontes (?) glenrosensis was built into the wall of the bandstand at the Somervell County Courthouse by the citizens of Glen Rose, Texas, in 1933. To this day, this unique paleontological and cultural resource attracts visitors. The footprint was excavated from the main track layer at the base of the lower member of the Glen Rose Formation (Albian, Lower Cretaceous) in what is now Dinosaur Valley State Park. Over the years, exposure to the elements has caused portions to erode. Erosional loss over the past 74 years has affected the outer edge of the toes and heel, altering the initial shape of the track impression. In order to preserve this type specimen and to compare its present state with the original description, a portable 3D laser scanner was employed to perform in situ digitization of the track. Those scans were post-processed to generate high-resolution 3D digital models of the track. Finally, those models were rendered in various media formats for viewing, publication, and archival purposes. Raw scan data and industry-standard 3D object files formats are available for download at various resolutions. Portable 3D laser scanners capture original fossil morphology and texture. The results demonstrate the advantages of using portable laser scanners to capture field data and create high-resolution, interactive models that can be digitally archived and made accessible via the worldwide web for research and education.