Fossil Collection and Curation

Excavating Vertebrate Fossils

Jeff Good

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpruHNCNtLY/TVdXIybQtWI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/oB_c_ls12yc/s1600/JP93-dig1.jpg

Fossil Collection Fossil collection varies by matrix type or size of fossil. Tools used in fossil collection:

Digging tools: shovels, picks, hammers, chisels, awls, etc.

Fine digging tools: paint brushes, toothbrushes, dental picks, etc.

Water

Sieves

Consolidant / adhesive

Plastic / burlap bags

Gauze / toilet paper,

Plaster strips

Fossil Collection Techniques Small to medium sized fossil collection:

Dry Sieve: small fossils are isolated from matrix by a network of sized mesh.

Wet Sieve: small fossils are isolated from matrix with the aid of running water through a network of sized mesh.

Surface collection: when a fossil is partially exposed and can be simply removed or removed without extensive excavation.

Large to very large sized fossil collection: Excavation

Preparation

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/resources-rx/images/1017/palaeontology-dinosaur-fossil-excavation_88519_1.jpg http://www.turkanabasin.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Sieving-450x366.jpg

Steps of Excavation1. Removal of Overburden

Tools such as shovels and picks used to remove majority of matrix Uncover the extent of the fossil

2. Consolidation Tools such as gauze, toilet paper, and Japanese rice paper used Adherent applied to structurally strengthen fossil

3. Trenching Fossil block is dug out of surrounding matrix

4. Jacketing Fossil block is coated in plaster for protection and transport

5. Labeling Field number, location and notes recorded for fossil transportation

Steps of Excavation

http://www.news.appstate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/triassic_plaster.jpg

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~gingeric/PDGwhales/PDG20050233.jpghttp://www.tarpits.org/sites/default/files/hero_images/PageWebImages_980x425_LABREATARPITS_curr_excavation_hand.jpg

http://archosaurmusings.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/dsc_0482.jpg

Fossil Preparation Preparation of a fossil allows for the removal of sediment that is close or

attached to the fossil itself. Monotonous, finite, delicate process that is done in a controlled

environment with access to special tools to remove the rest of the matrix. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or4kDy-Uu00

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Fossil_preparation_at_the_Condon_Center_lab.jpg

Fossil CurationTo obtain or display a fossil, an institution: Must have a permit or right to excavate, ship, possess or display the specimen. Must find the specimen to be unique, rare, or of high value if in order to

display and maintain Maintain Accession records

How was the specimen received?

Maintain Locality records Where was the specimen collected?

Catalog and organize the specimen Taxonomic I.D., etc.

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Works Cited http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/paleontologists-excavate-fossils http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/dinofossils/

Excavating.shtml http://preparation.paleo.amnh.org/35/techniques-in-the-field http://preparation.paleo.amnh.org/assets/

Fox_Field_Prep_Notesv2withimages.pdf http://www.paleosoc.org/pscode.htm