Beneath the Stone: A Dialogue between Paleontology and Radiology

Beneath the Stone is an illustrated atlas that explores fossils from a unique perspective: that of medical CT imaging.With a preface by Professor Éric Buffetaut, Research Director Emeritus at the CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research), this book invites readers to look beyond the visible surface of fossils.Beneath the surface of stone, structures invisible to the naked eye are revealed: internal anatomy, hidden restorations, composite assemblies, density differences, and subtle clues to authenticity. Through photographs, CT slices, three-dimensional reconstructions, and interpretive commentary, this atlas invites readers to see fossils differently - not only as objects to admire, but as evidence to be examined.Created by Jean-Claude Le Van An, a radiologist and medical imaging specialist with a passion for paleontology, Beneath the Stone brings together two worlds that rarely meet: the clinical precision of radiology and the deep-time perspective of paleontology. Using CT as a non-destructive investigative tool, the book shows how imaging can document fossil structure, reveal restorations, detect composite specimens, and contribute to the understanding of authenticity.From fossil eggs to vertebrate specimens, from genuine structures to restored or altered pieces, each case is approached with the eye of a radiologist: analyzing density, morphology, continuity, and internal architecture. The result is both a visual journey and an educational investigation into what fossils can still reveal when examined beyond their surface.This atlas is not intended as a definitive taxonomic catalogue, but as an invitation to look more closely. It opens a dialogue between paleontology and radiology, united in a common pursuit: revealing what time has buried.For readers interested in paleontology, fossil collecting, medical imaging, fossil authentication, dinosaur eggs, and the hidden architecture of ancient life. Read more