High-powered CT scans allow scientists to see dinosaur embryos inside fossilized eggs without damaging them.

Computed Tomography (CT) technology has revolutionized vertebrate paleontology by allowing researchers to digitally 'excavate' fossils. Traditional mechanical preparation involves using needles and air-scribes to remove rock, which often destroys delicate embryonic bones. Industrial CT scanners use much higher energy levels than medical ones, typically ranging from 225 kV to 450 kV, to penetrate dense mineralized matrix.A landmark study published in the journal iScience in December 2021 detailed the discovery of 'Baby Yingliang.' This 66-million-year-old Oviraptorosaur embryo was found in the Late Cretaceous rocks of Ganzhou, southern China. The scan revealed the embryo in a 'tucking' posture, a behavior previously thought to be unique to modern birds. This position involves the head being placed under the body with the feet on either side and the back curled along the egg's blunt end.The scanning process generates thousands of 2D X-ray images that are reconstructed into a 3D volume using specialized software like VGSTUDIO MAX. This allows scientists to measure bone density and growth stages without ever cracking the shell. These digital models are now archived in databases, ensuring that the physical specimen remains intact for future generations of researchers. The use of synchrotron radiation at facilities like the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) provides even higher resolution, capturing details at the cellular level.