A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Stellenbosch University has unveiled a new technique that uses fossilised dinosaur eggshells to determine the age of rocks containing ancient fossils. This innovative method allows scientists to directly date fossil sites, even in areas lacking volcanic layers or other datable minerals, offering new insights into Earth’s prehistoric past.
Senior Lecturer in Sedimentology and Palaeontology at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Earth Sciences, Dr. Ryan Tucker, said this discovery could help fill critical gaps in the fossil record.
“I think we’re still at, of the total fossil record, we know only about 8% of the diversity right now. So, there are many, many gaps to fill. The more we know, the less we understand,” he explains.
Dr. Tucker elaborates on how rocks and fossils have traditionally been dated using minerals such as zircon, which contain uranium isotopes that decay over time into lead.
“Traditionally, we look for the sediments around the bones. For the last ten years, I’ve dated a mineral called zircon… It incorporates uranium, which decays to lead. Using lasers or chemical abrasion, we can test the isotopes and estimate the age. That uranium acts as a reliable clock,” he stated.
However, he notes that zircon minerals are not always present where fossils are found.
“These minerals aren’t everywhere. They’re unique to igneous deposits like ash falls and ignimbrites and often not associated with fossil sites. So, we needed a different way to calibrate time for these novel assemblages,” Tucker adds.
Listen to the full interview below:
VOC News
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