Fossils may need care when removed from rocks.
When paleontologists find a fossil, their first step is to prevent damage to it when they remove it from the rocky matrix. Paleontologists have ways to remove the fossil to ensure that it will remain intact.
Fossil Matrix Considerations
Paleontologists look for fossils in rock called sedimentary rock. This comes from a matrix of sand and mud that has accumulated over time. It is softer than rocks formed through volcanic eruptions and thus less hard to chip through.
Fossil Removal
Paleontologists use large tools such as shovels and picks to break the fossil and the rock matrix until it is in free of the surrounding rock. Paleontologists then use finer tools such as dental tools, trowels, small chisels and hammers to carefully remove the fossil. If the sedimentary rock is soft, they will sometimes use a light acid solution to eat away the surrounding rock.
Fossil Preservation
Paleontologists use either a quick-setting glue or a special jacket of plaster of paris applied directly to the fossil before trying to remove the fossil. The cast or glue helps keep the fossil stationary and protects it like a cast a doctor uses to set people's broken bones.
Tags: remove fossil, sedimentary rock, surrounding rock, tools such
