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Fossil Preparation The Paleontology Portal Fossil Preparation American Museum of Natural History · PaleoPortal Fossil Preparation Home History Collecting Revealing Studying Follow the Specimen Tools & Resources Techniques Staff Laboratories Preparing for the Field Techniques in the Field Techniques Equipment, Tools, and Materials Adhesives and Consolidants Vendors Labeling Molding and Casting Exhibition Housing Conserving Oviraptor Notoungulate Protoceratops Training to Become a Preparator Professional Development Health & Safety Glossary Bibliography Links Acknowledgements A Resource for Fossil Preparation Paleontologists usually discover fossils when they are exposed at the Earth’s surface as a result of weathering by wind and water, at which point they can be excavated and brought back to a museum or other collection. This is only the beginning of a long process. The fossils that the paleontologist studies can be extraordinarily fragile, yet often are encased in rock or sandstone matrix that must be removed to reveal the information of the specimen hidden within, a process best done under controlled conditions in a laboratory. This work is accomplished by vertebrate fossil preparators, skilled specialists in the care and conservation of fossil bone. This site is intended as a central resource on fossil preparation for anyone who has an interest in paleontology, from museum and laboratory professionals, to amateur collectors, to school and university students. If you are responsible for a fossil collection in an institution, have a private collection, are interested in the science of paleontology or about a career in the field, or just are curious how museums use and exhibit their fossil collections, this site is for you . Website Topics History Learn about the history of fossil preparation. Collecting Prospecting for, excavating, and collecting fossils. Revealing Preparing fossils so that they can be studied. Studying Readying specimens for use. Additional Information Follow the Specimen Case studies following the preparation of individual specimens. Tools & Resources Additional resources and downloads. How to Use this Site This site is divided into four sections describing the main activities of fossil preparation: History Collecting Revealing Studying The functions of each activity are explained with detailed information, including various documents developed by museums and preparators, together with links that you can follow to access to even more resources on other sites. You can explore further within each section, or move on to the next section. If you want a brief overview of the main activities you can view case studies showing real fossil specimens as they are prepared. You can also jump to a compilation of the site’s many useful tools and resources. Training to Become a Preparator Some Quick Definitions Preparation The process of removing a fossil specimen from the surrounding matrix [glossary link] in which it is embedded. Fossil preparation is an essential element in the field of paleontology; preparators work in close collaboration with researchers to reveal crucial details of the fossil for further study. Fossil Fossil specimens are the remains of whole organisms, or fragments, impressions, or traces of life preserved in rock; they are formerly organic specimens that usually have gone through a process of complete or partial replacement of organic material by inorganic material. – Cato et al, 2003 Paleontology The study of any evidence of past life or extinct organisms, including their anatomical structure, environment, evolution, and distribution, as revealed by their fossil or subfossil remains. – Duckworth, et al., 1993, p. 140 Search the site © American Museum of Natural History and The Paleontology Portal · Disclaimer · Grant NSF EAR-552256 If the format of any material on this website interferes with your ability to access that material, please contact us at [email protected] . Web Site Design and Development: Wall-to-Wall...