New York State Museum’s Hadrosaur dinosaur egg. Credit: New York State Museum
The oldest fossil of the Giant Beaver (Castoroides ohioensis). Credit: New York State Museum
Peering into the Prehistoric: A Dinosaur Egg and Ice Age Giant Go Under the Scanner
A prehistoric time capsule is about to be opened, and the New York State Museum is at the helm of this thrilling scientific journey! In an unprecedented collaboration with Albany Medical Center, the Museum is preparing to peer inside two of its most captivating fossils using cutting-edge CT scanning technology.
First up: a 70–80 million-year-old dinosaur egg. About the size of a cantaloupe and weighing seven pounds, this remarkable fossil offers a rare glimpse into prehistoric life. Believed to be from a Hadrosaur—duck-billed dinosaurs that roamed the Earth during the late Cretaceous Period—this fossil likely originated in Asia.
Now, for the first time, scientists will look inside this egg to uncover its secrets. Could it contain the remains of an embryo? What might it reveal about dinosaur development and reproduction? Advanced imaging technology will allow researchers to explore these questions without damaging the specimen, bringing new insight into the ancient lives of these remarkable creatures.
But the dinosaur egg isn’t the only fossil heading into the CT suite. Also under the digital microscope is the skull of a Giant Beaver (Castoroides ohioensis)—an enormous Ice Age rodent that once lumbered through Pleistocene-era New York. As big as a modern black bear, this species had unique features that set it apart from today’s beavers, especially in its skull and teeth.
This particular specimen is historic, as it marks the first skull ever described for the species. Scanning it will provide a clearer picture of its internal structure, helping scientists better understand its biology, behavior, and place in the ecosystem of ancient North America.
This remarkable fusion of medical technology and paleontology marks a new chapter in fossil research. Over the coming weeks, the NYSM and Albany Med will reveal behind-the-scenes footage, stunning scan images, and expert interpretations—unlocking secrets that have been hidden for tens of thousands, even millions, of years.
Stay tuned as science brings the ancient world vividly to life.