Three‐dimensional Raman imagery of precambrian microscopic organisms

Two major difficulties have long hindered studies of ancient permineralized micro-organisms: (1) accurate documentation of their three-dimensional morphology at micron-scale resolution; and (2) direct characterization of their molecular-structural composition. Here we introduce a technique new to palaeobiology, the three-dimensional Raman imagery that meets both of these needs, which is a nonintrusive, nondestructive technique that can provide data by which to accurately and objectively characterize, in situ and at micron-scale resolution, the morphology and molecular-structural composition of permineralized micro-organisms and their associated matrices. Application of this new technique can provide information about the morphology, taphonomy and fidelity of preservation of fossil micro-organisms unavailable by any other means.