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Repainting Ancient Birds

Using synchrotron rapid scanning X-ray fluorescence to map the distribution of trace metals in avian fossils over 120 million-year-old, researchers reconstruct the pigment patterns of their feathers—revealing some of the extinct birds' long-lost colo

By | July 1, 2011

An artist’s conception of the pigmentation patterns in the 120 million-year-old Confuciusornis sanctus—the oldest documented bird to display a beak. Patterns are based on chemical maps of copper and other trace metals in several fossils of this organism.Richard Hartley, University of Manchester

An artist’s conception of the pigmentation patterns in the 120 million-year-old Confuciusornis sanctus—the oldest documented bird to display a beak. Patterns are based on chemical maps of copper and other trace metals in several fossils of this organism.Richard Hartley, University of Manchester

An artist’s conception of the pigmentation patterns in the 120 million-year-old Confuciusornis sanctus—the oldest documented bird to display a beak. Patterns are based on chemical maps of copper and other trace metals in several fossils of this organism.Richard Hartley, University of Manchester
The team, led by Uwe Bergmann of Stanford University, harnessed the powerful x-rays of the synchrotron to probe the trace metals preserved in the ancient bird fossils. The synchrotron is housed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource.
Author of the paper, Bill Sellers places a helium bag seal on Archaeopteryx fossil before scanning it on the synchrotron.
Uwe Bergman checks out the Archaeopteryx fossil set up.
The Confuciusornis fossil on the experimental mount behind leaded glass to protect team from the intense x-rays.
Bill Sellers (left), Holly Barden (center) and Uwe Bergmann (right), align the apparatus in order to get an accurate reading.
Uwe Bergman measures the distance and angle between fossil, x-ray beam, and detector. Each must be just right to get the best possible results.
Confuciusornis sanctus lived approximately 120 million years ago and is the oldest documented bird to display a fully derived beak.

Repainting Ancient Birds Image Gallery

Using synchrotron rapid scanning X-ray fluorescence to map the distribution of trace metals in avian fossils over 120 million-year-old, researchers reconstruct the pigment patterns of their feathers—revealing some of the extinct birds' long-lost colors.

 

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X-ray, techniques, pigment, fossils, evolution, birds and biomarkers
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