Buzz
The iconic Buckingham Palace in the UK is not just a relic of the 18th century but also a window into the distant past. A recent study reveals that the limestone used in its construction contains fossilized microbes from the Jurassic era, approximately 200 million years ago, as reported by The Telegraph.
Constructed from oolitic limestone, the palace features a unique building material composed of spherical carbonate sediments known as ooids. This durable yet lightweight stone has been utilized globally, including in renowned structures such as the buildings in Bath, the Empire State Building, and the Pentagon.
A groundbreaking study by Australian National University, published in Scientific Reports, discovered that the ooids in Buckingham Palace's walls are formed from layers of mineralized microbes. Drawing inspiration from a 1970s mathematical model used to predict brain tumor growth, the researchers developed a model to explain ooid formation and predict the factors influencing their size.
Australian National UniversityThe study revealed that microbial mineralization creates the central core of ooids, with sediment layers surrounding the core providing nutrients until the outer layer can no longer sustain the process.
This discovery challenges earlier theories suggesting ooids form from sediment accumulation while rolling on the ocean floor. It also redefines our understanding of structures built with oolitic limestone from this era. When you gaze at the Empire State Building or Buckingham Palace, remember to appreciate the ancient microbes that made them possible.
