During the active phase of the FOSSIL project, 3D printing of fossils and related technologies advanced considerably and became popular, with applications for both research and education (Zeigler et al., 2020, Frontiers in Earth Science). Scans of 70 3D fossils were uploaded by members of the FOSSIL community. These are primarily represented by 45 foraminifera (many also linked to https://foraminifera.eu/) included in the archived database below (but without the images, which are sourced elsewhere).
The database also includes other images, mostly of assorted vertebrates, the latter of which are archived here. The anthracothere mammal (3D-59) and four other specimens (3D-63 through 3D-66), collected by Julie Niederkorn, from the Belgrade, North Carolina mine were later catalogued into the Florida Museum and Smithsonian collections and are formally described in a Journal of Paleontology article (MacFadden et al., 2025). Likewise, the Pliocene river dolphin mandible (3D-69) and cranium (3D-70) reconstructions were catalogued into the USNM (Smithsonian) collections and subsequently published (Pyenson et al., 2015) as a new species Isthminia panamensis.
Neohipparion tooth, left upper p2 (3D-66)
Anthracothere tooth (3D-59)
Megalodon tooth (3D-61)
Archived Database and Access to 3D Fossil Specimens
The database of specimen metadata, archived from myfossil.org may be viewed below or downloaded here: myFOSSIL 3D Gallery images
For access to the 3D Gallery images that we have permission to reproduce, contact fossil@flmnh.ufl.edu.
| eMuseum Catalog # | Source file | Title | Files available here? | Description | Notes and Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D-01 | 01 Holmesina-floridanus-calcaneum.stl | Holmesina floridanus | Yes | Holmesina floridanus. Right calcaneum (calcaneus). | |
| 3D-02 | 02 Astragalus_Left.stl | Giant Sloth | Yes | Middle phalanx, isolated left foot bone from northern Florid, length: 50mm | |
| 3D-03 | 03 ToeBone.stl | Holmesina septentrionalis | Yes | Left astragalus (ankle bone) from Northern Florida | |
| 3D-04 | 04 hadro_fingerbone_scaled.stl | Hadrosaur finger bone | Yes | Hadrosaur finger bone from Judith River, Judith River Fm., Montana, USA, Late Cretaceous, Width 3.5 cm | |
| 3D-05 | 05 Snake_Vertebra.stl | Snake Vertebra | Yes | Snake vertebra (?Colubridae), Belgrade mine field trip May 2018, discovered by screen washing matrix. | Uncatalogued elsewhere |
| 3D-06 | 06 jaw_simple.stl | Dog jaw | Yes | 3D laser scanned dog jaw | |
| 3D-07 | 07 Nonionella_simple.stl | Pullena | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-08 | 08 Vaginulina_simple.stl | Vaginulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-09 | 09 Robulus_simple.stl | Robulus | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-10 | 10 Siphonina_simple.stl | Siphonina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-11 | 11 Polymorphina_simple.stl | Polymorphina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-12 | 12 Triloculina_simple.stl | Triloculina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-13 | 13 Eponides.stl | Eponides | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-14 | 14 Uvigerina_simple.stl | Uvigerina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-15 | 15 Verneuilina_simple.stl | Verneulinia | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-16 | 16 Bolivina_simple.stl | Bolivina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-17 | 17 VirgulinanowEponides_simple.stl | Asterigerina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | downloaded from mFeM as 17 VirgulinanowEponides_simple.stl |
| 3D-18 | 18 Siphonina_simple.stl | Textularia | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | downloaded from mFeM as 18 Siphonina_simple.stl |
| 3D-19 | 19 Megalodon_simple.stl | Megalodon tooth | No | None | |
| 3D-20 | 20 RayToothPlate_simple.stl | Ray Tooth Plate | No | 3-D laser scan of a ray tooth plate. | |
| 3D-21 | 21 Polymorphina_simple.stl | Elphidium | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-22 | 22 Raphanulina_simple.stl | Raphanulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-23 | 23 pyrgo_simple.stl | Pyrgo | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-24 | 24 Pleurostomella_simple.stl | Pleurostomella | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-25 | 25 PulleniaAstacolis_simple.stl | Astacolus | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-26 | 26 Rotalia_simple.stl | Rotalia | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-27 | 27 Planulina_simple.stl | Planulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-28 | 28 Orbulina_simple.stl | Orbulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-29 | 29 Quin_simple.stl | Quinqueloculina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-30 | 30 Nodosaria_simple.stl | Nodosaria | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-31 | 31 Margulina Lagenidea_simple.stl | Marginulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-32 | 32 Gyroidina_simple.stl | Gyroidina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-33 | 33 Lagena_simple.stl | Lagena | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-34 | 34 Nonion_simple.stl | Nonion | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-35 | 35 Guttulina_simple.stl | Guttulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-36 | 36 Oolina_simple.stl | Oolina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-37 | 37 Glandulina_simple.stl | Glandulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | http://eol.org/pages/62328/overview https://www.foraminifera.eu |
| 3D-38 | 38 Globogerina_simple.stl | Globogerina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-39 | 39 Gumbelina_simple.stl | Gumbelina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-40 | 40 Gaudryina_simple.stl | Gaudryina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-41 | 41 Globorotalia_simple.stl | Globorotalia | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-42 | 42 Fissurina_simple.stl | Fissurina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-43 | 43 Dentalina_simple.stl | Dentalina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-44 | 44 cornuspira_simple.stl | Cornuspira | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-45 | 45 Discorbis_simple.stl | Discorbis | No | 3-D laser scanned model of a plaster foraminifera model. Discorbis ranges from the Eocene to the Recent. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discorbis https://www.foraminifera.eu |
| 3D-46 | 46 Cibicides_simple.stl | Cibicides | No | 3-D foraminifera model of a plaster model. Cibicides is known from Paleogene to Recent, ?Cretaceous affinities | https://depts.washington.edu/forams/by-species-order-rotaliida/genus-cibicides/ |
| 3D-47 | 47 Virgulina_simple.stl | Virgulina | No | 3-D laser scan of a plaster foraminifera model. | |
| 3D-48 | 48 Cassidulina_simple.stl | Cassidulina | No | Laser scanned 3-D model of a plaster foraminifera model. Cassidulina ranges from the Eocene to the Recent | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassidulina_(foraminifera) |
| 3D-49 | 49 Buliminella_simple.stl | Buliminella | No | A laser scanned 3-D model of a plaster foraminifera model. Here is some information on the genus: | https://depts.washington.edu/forams/by-species-order-rotaliida/genus-buliminella/ |
| 3D-50 | 50 Bulimina_simple.stl | Bulimina | No | Laser scanned 3-D model of a foraminifera plaster model. Here is a link to Bulimina species | https://foraminifera.eu/ (Insert "Genus" from top menu) |
| 3D-51 | 51 Bigenerina_simple.stl | Bigenerina | No | Laser scanned 3-D model of a foraminifera plaster model. | |
| 3D-52 | 52 Fusilinid_large_simple.stl | Fusilinid | No | Laser scanned 3-D model of a plaster foraminifera model. Fusulinida ranged from Silurian to Permian. | |
| 3D-53 | 53 Astacolus_simple-1.stl | Glandulina | No | Oolina a foraminfera genus. 3-D laser scan of a plaster model. | Title and downloaded file have different generic names |
| 3D-54 | 54 Anomalina_simple.stl | Anomalina | No | Foraminifera genus, Anomalina. 3-D laser scan of a plaster model. | |
| 3D-55 | 55 Amphistegina_simpler.stl | Amphistegina | No | Genus of foraminifera, ranging from the Eocene to the Recent. This is a 3D scan of a plaster model. | |
| 3D-56 | 56 BIG-JOHN-TRICERATOPS-NASALS-AND-HORN.stl | Triceratops (Media 29540) | No | Fused nasal and nose horn. Still working on getting better resolution. | |
| 3D-57 | 57 MegTooth.stl | Meg tooth | Yes | Peace River near Brownville State Park Campground Arcadia, FL. NextEngine 3D Scanner, edited with AutoDesk Remake. | |
| 3D-58 | 58 camel_jaw01-1.stl | Camel Jaw-Dixon, NM | No | Found in Espanola, NM by an amateur fossil collector. | |
| 3D-59 | 59 Anthracothere_Reduced.stl | Anthracothere | Yes | Found by Bradley Dixon of North Carolina, loaned to FOSSIL Project for microCT scanning. | See published Belgrade Mammals paper MacFadden et al. 2025. Journal of Paleontology |
| 3D-60 | 60 fused_-sand_-dollar.stl | Echinoid | Yes | Found by Erin Petersen Lindberg, Santa Cruz, California | |
| 3D-61 | 61 C.Megalodon_Cone_Lee.stl | C. megalodon | Yes | Tooth loaned to the FOSSIL Project by Lee Cone to use as a demo for 3D scanning technology at the Aurora Fossil Festival. | |
| 3D-62 | 62 Archeocete_Complete.stl | Arch[a]eocete Tooth | Yes | Loaned to FOSSIL Project by David Sanderson, Onslow Quarry (NC), reworked limestone quarry, from ?"Castle Hain." | |
| 3D-63 | 63 Rhino_unciform_left_resized.stl | Rhino Unciform Belgrade | Yes | Rhinoceros left unciform from Belgrade, North Carolina. Loaned to FOSSIL Project by Julie Niederkorn for hi-res. 3D scans. | See published Belgrade Mammals paper MacFadden et al. 2025. Journal of Paleontology |
| 3D-64 | 64 Artiodactyl_Medial_Phalanx.stl | Artiodactyl Medial Phalanx | Yes | Artiodactyl medial phalanx from Belgrade, North Carolina. Loaned to FOSSIL Project by Julie Niederkorn for hi-res. 3D scans. | See published Belgrade Mammals paper MacFadden et al. 2025. Journal of Paleontology |
| 3D-65 | 65 Tayassuid_tooth.stl | Tayassuid Tooth Belgrade | Yes | Right upper canine (RC1) from Belgrade, North Carolina. Loaned to FOSSIL Project by Julie Niederkorn for hi-res. 3D scans. | See published Belgrade Mammals paper MacFadden et al. 2025. Journal of Paleontology |
| 3D-66 | 66 Equid_Tooth.stl | Equid Tooth Belgrade | Yes | Left 2nd upper premolar from Belgrade, North Carolina. Loaned to the FOSSIL Project by Julie Niederkorn for hi-res. 3D scans. | See published Belgrade Mammals paper MacFadden et al. 2025. Journal of Paleontology |
| 3D-67 | 68 Osteichtyan_Belgrade.stl | Osteichthyan Belgrade | Yes | Unidentified fish bone from Belgrade, North Carolina. Loaned to FOSSIL Project by Julie Neiderkorn for hi-res. 3D scans. | Uncatalogued elsewhere |
| 3D-68 | 68 MegaTooth.stl | Meg Tooth | No | 3D scan downloaded from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1380493 | Thanks to www.lamna.se for loaning original fossil. |
| 3D-69 | 69 panama_dolphin_mandible-print_ready-scale_mm-296k_triangle.stl | Panama dolphin mandible | No | Fossil of new dolphin species from Caribbean coast Panama, near Piña, Chagres Formation, about 6-7 million years old. | Originally discovered in early 2011 by Dioselina Vigil Pimentel, STRI undergraduate student. |
| 3D-70 | 70 panama_dolphin_cranium-print_ready-scale_mm-333k_triangle.stl | Panama dolphin cranium | No | https://www.sci.news/paleontology/science-isthminia-panamensis-river-dolphin-panama-03195.html#google_vignette | same as #69 above Smithsonian X 3D, Share Alike, Non-Commercial license. Nick Pyenson |