Preparation
Preparation of fossils involves the removal of dirt, rock and other material covering the fossil. This can be achieved using mechanical or acid techniques:
Mechanical Preparation includes the use of tools such as hammers and chisels, pneumatic air tools and air abrasive systems. This technique relies on a natural weakness existing between the bone surface and the surrounding rock.
Acid Preparation, on the other hand, relies on chemically 'dissolving' the rock surrounding the fossils. Fossiliferous blocks are submerged in weak acetic acid with the resulting bone surface often showing minute details such as muscle attachment points and the small holes (foramen) where blood once flowed.
Sieving. The sediment surrounding fossils is commonly sieved using .5cm, 2mm and 1mm sieves. This material is washed and dried then ready to sort.
Sorting occurs through a magnified lens and, with careful observation, is where we find small fossils which help build a picture of the palaeo-environment.
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