Sue at The Field Museum

Preparation and Mounting: Fossil Preparation

Fossil preparators have to be puzzle experts. Preparators must carefully remove layers of matrix (hardened sand and mud) from each fossil bone. They also glue loose and broken pieces back together. They have to be patient and skilled with their hands. Imagine a puzzle in three dimensions that requires you to find and reconstruct each piece before you put it together! (© The Field Museum GN88683_10c)

How are fossils prepared?

The first step is to cut open the protective plaster field jacket with a special saw.

Next, the jacket is carefully pried apart and the thin layer of paper or aluminum foil separating the bone from the plaster is removed. (© The Field Museum MVC-005F)

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