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Not Right For WatchKnowLearn
Ages: 10 - 18
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Excellent video on finding and assembling a Dinosaur skeleton including steps taken to crate bones that are missing.
Summary
The rocks where fossils are found can be soft and crumbly or very hard.
Often both the rocks and the fossilized bones c...ontain minerals that
help protect the bones from weathering. Exposed bone, however, is
sometimes very fragile. To prevent the bones from breaking,
paleontologists, the scientists who study dinosaurs, use certain
procedures to protect a fossil during its excavation and shipment to the
laboratory. Once a specimen has been carefully exposed and examined for
minerals, it is prepared for removal. First, the fossil is brushed
with a type of glue or plastic and then covered with strips of wet paper
and burlap dipped in Plaster of Paris for protection and support. The
most critical part of this preparation is when the fossil has to be
carefully turned over and the underside is also covered and protected.
After the plaster sets, the fossil is numbered and examined to determine
what structural part of the animal has been recovered. Back in the
laboratory, each bone is cleaned and strengthened. Knowledge of today's
animals' skeletons can help the scientists investigate the dinosaur's
remains. By comparing features of bones, a paleontologist may be able
to identify the fossil and its function. Bones along the back, from the
skull or in the jaw are very distinctive and often used to identify the
fossil's remains. Most or all of the skeleton can then be pieced
together if enough bones have been found. Paleontologists may have to
estimate the size and shape of missing bones to complete a full
skeleton. Once all the pieces are identified, a model of the animal is
built to assist the scientist in rebuilding the entire skeleton. Then a
large metal framework is welded together to support the fossilized
bones. The bones are then free mounted to the framework. If a simpler
mount is desired, scientists will fasten the fossils to a slab and use a
bas-relief mounting. Bas-relief mountings display the fossil as it was
buried. Either method preserves the dinosaur's structure for further
observation and research.
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April 16, 2012 at 09:44 AM
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