Welcome to The Field Museum! Today, we’re going on an exciting adventure with Akiko, a Fossil Preparator, to learn about preparing fish fossils from Wyoming. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of fossils!
To start, we need some special tools. The main tool is called a pin vice, which is like a tiny pick with a sharp needle. This helps us carefully scrape away the rock, or matrix, surrounding the fossil. We also use a powerful microscope with a light to see the tiny details of the fossil, like scales and bones.
Now, it’s time to try it ourselves! At first, it might seem tricky because we don’t want to damage the fossil. But with practice, we can gently scrape away the matrix and reveal the fossil underneath. A gentle airflow from a hose helps blow away the dust as we work.
Interestingly, the basic process of preparing fossils hasn’t changed much over the years. While microscopes have improved, the idea of using a pointy tool to scratch away the matrix remains the same. It’s a simple yet effective method!
For a faster approach, we use an air scribe, which is like a tiny jackhammer powered by compressed air. It makes a buzzing noise as it vibrates, helping us remove the matrix more efficiently. Another cool tool is the air abrasive machine, which blasts fine powder to clean the fossil, similar to a sandblaster.
As we work, we might uncover exciting finds like coprolites, which are fossilized droppings. It’s like filling in a coloring book, revealing different parts of the fossil bit by bit. Using these tools, we can appreciate the hard work that goes into preparing fossils for display.
It’s amazing to think about how these fossils were excavated in Wyoming and brought here for us to study. Even though it takes a lot of time and effort, it’s rewarding to see the results. This experience gives us a greater appreciation for the large dinosaurs and other fossils on display at the museum.
Thanks for joining us on this fossil adventure! We hope you enjoyed learning about the tools and techniques used to uncover these ancient treasures.
Imagine you’re a fossil preparator like Akiko! Use clay and small objects like leaves or shells to create your own “fossils.” Press the objects into the clay, then carefully remove them to see the impressions left behind. This will help you understand how fossils are formed and preserved over time.
Try a hands-on simulation of fossil preparation. Use a small brush and a toothpick to gently remove sand from a buried toy dinosaur or shell. This activity will give you a sense of the careful work needed to uncover fossils without damaging them.
Research the different tools used in fossil preparation, like the pin vice, air scribe, and air abrasive machine. Create a poster or digital presentation explaining how each tool works and why it’s important in the fossil preparation process.
Write a short story about discovering a new fossil. Describe the tools you would use, the challenges you might face, and the excitement of uncovering a piece of history. Share your story with the class to inspire others with your fossil adventure.
Take a virtual tour of a museum with a fossil exhibit, like The Field Museum. Pay attention to the fossils on display and the information provided about their preparation. Share your favorite fossil and what you learned about its preparation with your classmates.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hey, we’re back at The Field Museum with Akiko, the Fossil Preparator.
– Yep!
– We’re going to work on some fish fossils that we excavated from Wyoming. What’s next?
So, what kind of tools are necessary to prepare a fossil?
– Well, you’re holding the basic tool; it’s called a pin vice. It’s a pin vice holder with a carbide needle.
– So, it’s essentially a specialized pick.
– Pretty much.
We also have a high-powered microscope with a light to help us see the scales and bones. Then, you scrape away the matrix from the fossils.
– And that’s it.
– Yeah, basically.
I’m going to try this myself. I’m just worried about damaging the specimen.
– Let me see what’s going on. You can see fine. If you follow this long bone and push down the pedal, a gentle airflow will come out from this hose to help remove the matrix.
– Very gentle air. If you keep scraping a little at a time, you’ll start to see the brown of the bone.
– Oh, I can see it starting to come out! This is amazing. Have these techniques been used historically? How much has this changed over the last hundred years?
– I think it’s basically the same.
– It hasn’t changed much?
– Not really. Maybe the microscope has improved.
– Why do you think it hasn’t changed much?
– Well, it’s a basic process. What more can you invent for hand tools? The idea is to have a point and scratch away the matrix.
– That’s an interesting noise. What tool am I using now?
– This is an air scribe, Micro-Jack #1.
– Why is it making that noise?
– It’s operated by compressed air, and there’s a hole in the tool that releases the air pressure as the needle vibrates, creating that sound.
It’s much more efficient than doing it by hand, but I’m worried about damaging the specimen.
– We have the manual method, which is slow, and then this mechanized tool, which is like a miniature jackhammer.
– Yep!
And there’s another way to excavate a fossil.
– Sure!
– What’s that?
– An air abrasive machine.
– Let’s check it out.
– You can show me how to use it.
– No, it’s okay. You can try it. Just keep moving the nozzle to avoid creating a crater. Some parts of the matrix will be easier to remove than others.
– Got it.
This is the most mechanized way to prepare a fossil. What is this?
– The inside of the tank has fine dolomite powder.
– And this is blasting the powder onto the fossil?
– Yep! It knocks the matrix away, similar to a sandblaster.
– Oh, okay. I think this is a coprolite.
– Oh yeah, fossilized material.
This is amazing! You can see the tail coming out. It’s like filling in a coloring book and observing all the different parts. I’m really enjoying using this pneumatic machine!
– Ha, ha.
– It’s just great that we got to excavate these fossils in Wyoming and bring them back here to see all the work involved in preparing them.
– Yep!
– We’ve probably been here for an hour, and I’ve only done a square inch of work, which gives me a greater appreciation for the large dinosaurs on display and the other fish.
– Yeah.
– It’s cool.
– Good job!
– You too!
– Thanks!
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Fossils – The preserved remains or traces of ancient living organisms found in rocks. – Scientists study fossils to learn about animals and plants that lived millions of years ago.
Tools – Instruments or devices used to perform a task or function, especially in scientific research. – Paleontologists use special tools to carefully dig up fossils from the ground.
Matrix – The surrounding material in which something is embedded, often referring to the rock or sediment surrounding a fossil. – The fossil was carefully extracted from the matrix to avoid damaging it.
Microscope – An instrument used to see objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. – We used a microscope in class to observe the tiny details of a leaf cell.
Scrape – To remove a layer from a surface by rubbing or brushing. – The scientist had to gently scrape away the dirt to reveal the fossil beneath.
Air – The invisible mixture of gases that surrounds Earth and is essential for life. – Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air to perform photosynthesis.
Dinosaur – A group of extinct reptiles that lived millions of years ago, known for their large size and diverse species. – The museum has a huge skeleton of a dinosaur on display.
Wyoming – A state in the western United States known for its rich fossil beds and dinosaur discoveries. – Many dinosaur fossils have been found in Wyoming, making it a popular place for paleontologists.
Coprolites – Fossilized feces that provide information about the diet and habits of ancient animals. – By studying coprolites, scientists can learn what dinosaurs ate millions of years ago.
Preparation – The process of getting something ready for a specific purpose, such as studying or displaying fossils. – The preparation of the fossil for the museum exhibit took several months.
