This Biochemistry Professor Recreates Extinct Insects Using Bronze

An associate professor of biochemistry, human genetics and molecular biology, Allan Drummond recreates ancient trilobites using bronze. A few years ago, Drummond started to turn his extensive research on prehistoric sea creatures and fossils into detailed computer renderings. The results were then 3D printed and cast into bronze.

Many of his sculptures are inspired by creatures such as trilobites that existed for millions of years before they became extinct almost two centuries ago. However, he still creates modern day insects like the large-eyed jumping spiders and praying mantises.

Drummond has had several exhibitions to showcase his work. His pieces are amazing with the extra bonus of being also educational. These creations give us an opportunity to see in our own eyes insects that are long gone. Drummond posts pictures of his work on his Instagram page. You can see most of his work there.

Scroll below to see some of his awe inspiring creations.

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Cryptolithus Dissection, 2018. ✨ My complete reconstruction of the Ordovician trilobite Cryptolithus bellulus. This reconstruction is held together with rare-earth magnets, permitting removal and examination of all soft tissues. (Sound on for satisfying clangs.) The latter include walking legs (endopods, bronze), gills or filter-feeding apparatus (exopods, bronze), and digestive system (bronze-infiltrated stainless steel). 🔬 We’re still not sure why Cryptolithus and her relatives have that striking mantle (she’s sometimes called the lace-collar trilobite). Although early researchers through it might be for filter feeding, more recent work suggests it may have served as a sensory apparatus. ✨ Sculpted from scratch from multiple lines of fossil evidence, including modern tomography studies, soft-tissue specimens unearthed beginning in 1895, and scientific reconstructions from multiple researchers beginning in 1920. 🔬 Displayed on a piece of Ordovician shale from the bed where the first soft-tissue Cryptolithus specimens were unearthed in the 1890’s. The shale is from my dig with @goldbugsofficial (Markus Martin), whose scientific scholarship has helped bring these incredible creatures into new light. Swipe to the end to see a figure from his 2009 paper (Farrell, Martin, Hagadorn & Briggs, Lethaia 2009) showing an actual soft-tissue Cryptolithus specimen from this location. 🔬 This piece is available at Roq La Rue Gallery; contact @roqlarue with inquiries. ✨ #trilobite #paleontology #fossil #sculpture #cryptolithus #science #lacecollar

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