On site, crumbly fossil remains are glued or fixed with alcohol-soluble chemicals for later preparation. To protect bone finds, it may also be necessary to cover them with plaster. If fossils are spread across several rock slabs, they are often glued back together at the point of fracture.

The later preparation of the fossils in the laboratory is usually done mechanically, i.e. with a scalpel and preparation needles (compressed air chisel/air tool) under a magnifying glass or using a stereo microscope. With the help of X-rays, fossil parts hidden by the rock can be located. In this way, damage during preparation is avoided.

Microfossils can often be removed from the rock using acid etching or other wet chemical processes.

Contact

Maike Glos & Marc Barlage
Room DK.035
+49(0)30 838 70269