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I was surfing through the web looking for some information and an interesting online discussion involving professional paleontologists about how process and / or disaggregate sediments for the concentration of microfossils for paleontological study. This discussion is online and open for anyone to read on Researchgate. It is: How can I "liberate" microfossils of undissolved sediment residue? Aleš Šoster, University of Ljubljana, August 25, 2015 What I discovered is that some paleontologists use liquid nitrogen to extract fossils Remin, Z., Dubicka, Z., Kozłowska, A. and Kuchta, B., 2012. A new method of rock disintegration and foraminiferal extraction with the use of liquid nitrogen [LN2]. Do conventional methods lead to biased paleoecological and paleoenviromental interpretations?. Marine Micropaleontology, 86, pp.11-14. Yours, Paul H.

I am very intrigued by this critter being currenty offered fo sale. It seems pretty obvious to me that the rock it is sitting on has nothing to do with the original matrix (and indeed, the seller's text does not mention thr world "matrix" at all). But then, if the fossil has just been glued onto an appropriately shaped rock, how was it prepped to start with? Is it possible for crabs to get fossilised into such a soft matrix, that is it then possible to "free" the entire fossil completely intact, with all its legs, sort of Michelangelo's style (*)? And in any case, what technology and tools could produce such a result? (*) Michelangelo maintained that the subjects for his sculptures were already present inside their marmor blocks even before he started working. on them. All he had to do, was to remove the superfluous material.

In Pennsylvania USA, in the Old Port Formation, some trilobites are exposed in the scree and talus below coarse sandstone horizons. They tend to be very fragile (image below). My question is..... what's the best way to open large hunks of this rock, hoping for intact fossils within? I'm thinking about trying freeze thaw, but opted to check in here for alternatives or helpful tips. Anyone? Thanks!

Given a sample of sandstone that appears uniform to the naked eye, how can one determine where the bedding planes are? Are there magnification/chemical or other tricks in our tool box?

Corbacho, J. and Sendino, C., 2012. Fossil fakes and their recognition. Deposits Magazine, 30, pp.35-40. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265208436_Fossil_fakes_and_their_recognition https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320686323_Fossil_fakes_and_their_recognition https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho Corbacho, J., I. Corbacho, S. Morrison, and M. Valent, 2015,. Latest techniques detected in the falsification of fossils. Batallería. vol. 22, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284737545_Latest_techniques_detected_in_the_falsification_of_fossils Corbacho, J., Morrison, S., Llácer, S., and K. Hammond 2019, Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco) American Journal of Life Sciences, 7(2), pp. 47-53 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335176218_Use_of_CT_Scanning_and_Radiography_as_Legal_Expert_Evidence_in_Paleontology_Trilobites_of_Morocco https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Use-of-CT-Scanning-and-Radiography-as-Legal-Expert-Corbacho-Morrison/63ac6432f865ccfa55d63a9ed97ef5dcde31607c Corbacho, J., 2019. Legal expert in paleontology: a new profession. trilobite Papers, 21, February. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331260703_Legal_expert_in_paleontology_a_new_profession http://paleonet.org/TTP/TTP21.pdf Corbacho, J., Sendino, C. and Tahiri, M., 2011. Palaeontological fakes. Batalleria, 16, pp.37-45. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168169_Palaeontological_fakes_Falsificaciones_paleontologicas https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho Corbacho, J., Adserà, P. and de Barcelona, M.G.D.S., 2017. Sobre unas falsificaciones de fósiles de Tailandia. Batalleria (Barcelona): revista de paleontología, (24), pp.13-15. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316669424_Sobre_unas_falsificaciones_de_fosiles_de_Tailandia Corbacho, J., Vela, J.A. and Cuevas, J.A., 2007. Falsificación de trilobites del norte de África. Batalleria, 13, pp.29-36. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168347_FALSIFICACION_DE_TRILOBITES_DEL_NORTE_DE_AFRICA Corbacho, J., 2008. Falsificación de fósiles del N. de África (no trilobites). Batalleria (Barcelona): revista de paleontología, (14), pp.49-56. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168516_FALSIFICACION_DE_FOSILES_DEL_N_DE_AFRICA_NO_TRILOBITES Corbacho, J., Corbacho, I., Morrison, S. and Valent, M., 2015. Últimas técnicas detectadas en la falsificación de fósiles. Batalleria, 22, pp.22-27. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280938775_Ultimas_tecnicas_detectadas_en_la_falsificacion_de_fosiles A related web page. Avilés, J. 2017. To Identify Fossil Fakes: What You Need To Know: https://www.jurassic- dreams.com/pages/free-guide-how-to- identify-fossil-fakes-what- you-need-to-know Finally, a paper about authentic trilobite fossils. Giant Trilobites from Lower Ordovician of Morocco https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168252_Giant_Trilobites_from_Lower_Ordovician_of_Morocco https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho Yours, Paul H.

I just found this paper on air abrasion for those of us that would like to increase our knowledge and maybe adjust our techniques while using air abrasives. EDIT: SEPARATE LINK TO SOURCE https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2018/2279-air-abrasive-fossil-preparation

My father was an artist who did quite a bit of sculpture in wood and stone. Unfortunately I did not inherit his ability to draw and sculpt. He always said that he basically knew what was hiding in the piece of wood or soapstone from the time he saw it. He said the animal or abstract work was always in there it was just waiting for him to take the crud off what was obstructing the view. Well prepping trilobites is very much like that . You need to figure out the best way to present the bug really before you start the prep. You need to visualize the end product. Here is a Platteville isotelus that I received from a client in a 2 to 3 pound hunk of matrix. Not a lot to see at first but definitely a bug that is just screaming "Let me out of here"..... Also a bug that is desperately in need of a prep. Any time you can see an eye or better yet two eyes on an isotelus you pretty much know that there is a good chance that it will be complete I started by trimming the matrix down to a size and shape that would be condusive to prepping and wound have a nice asthetic shape when complete. I wanted the bug to be 3D when complete so I use a dremel to make a grid pattern around the fossil. These pedestal islands then just pop off with my ARO scribe leaving a matrix that is not just square edges. Square edges look horrible on a complete fossil, just not natural looking. This takes all of 5 minutes as opposed to perhaps a good hour if I had used just a scribe. I also minimize the potential for the matrix to fracture through the fossil by doing it this way. Just be careful not to cut too deep As per usual this was prepped under a scope using a comco MB1000 unit and a variety of scribes (Aro, Seally, 9361 and a Pferd) The abrasion material was previously used 40 micron dolomite with mostly a . 030 and . 018 nozzle tip. This is about 45 minutes into the prep The extra pygidium on the bug was removed and will be added back beside the bug at the end of the prep. Progress is being made about an hour into prep About 15 minutes later it is starting to get 3D Almost done at this point Pretty much finished except for adding that extra pygidium back beside the bug then final cleanup to remove any tool marks and packing up to ship There is zero restoration or gluing on this trilobite, although the right eye is dis-articulated it is 100% complete. Total time invested ... about 2 hours ...............cost to client $45 US plus shipping. Original estimate was $50 so pretty close. The finished bug is 35 mm long from nose to end of pygidium. The matrix now weighs about 1 1/2 pounds which is always important to watch out for. Anything over about 4 pounds is stupid expensive to ship from Canada. The suture on the right side of the eye has dis-articulated a bit from the bug but it is all there and shows how clean the sutures can come apart.

Probably a stupid question, but, what are some good tips and and rules of thumb in hunting fossils in suburban areas, such as rivers, forests, ect..

Hey guys Im writing an article on my fossil blog about hacks for preparing your fossils. What are your best fossil preppin' hacks? Looking forward for reading your answers!

Thought I'd share this here. I just purchased a nifty device for aiding photography through the microscope with a cell phone. I shoot photos through the scope all the time, and if you have ever done this, you know that it takes surgeon's hands to find the eyepiece, center the photo, and get a crisp image. This device clamps to the eye-piece and works on monocular and binocular scopes. It adjusts for the placement of any cell phone. A bit pricey at $189 (available online at Scientific Device Laboratory), but I had to have it and already love it. Here's a pic without the phone.

Hi Folks. I have found over a hundred of these in a relatively small area. Basically, in my yard and garden. I recently tilled a neighboring section up the ridge about 30' X 40' to look for more arrowheads and such. Found 2 arrowheads after the first rain, and maybe 20 of the fossils. There is only a few inches of top soil, then there is soft yellow shale several feet deep in places. I drilled some 40" deep holes for a pole building by the garden and it was all the soft shale. The artifacts are of course in the top soil but my plow cuts into the shale several inches and I think this is where it exposes the fossils. Couple questions: Are these fossils already in pieces, or am I breaking them up with the plowing and tilling ? Would I benefit from doing a "dig" of sorts in an effort to find more intact specimens ? Also, is there a likelihood that they are all near the surface, or are they probably at any / all depths ? Is so, how would I go about it with no machinery other than a small tractor with a plow ? I'm in eastern WV at about 900 ft elevation on a small spur ridge near the base of a 3000 ft mountain in the Appalachian chain. (if that helps) I'd really like to find more complete specimens, but am guessing they were all broken up long ago .... way before they got up here. Thanks for looking. Kind regards.

" THE BRISTOL DINOSAUR PROJECT – A CONSERVATION AND PREPARATION OVERVIEW" from the Journal of Paleontological Techniques, a Symposium Volume covering the 1st International Conservation Symposium-Workshop. The Bristol Dinosaur Project involved extensive preparation and conservation of a large collection of macro- and microvertebrate fossils. The starting point was some four tonnes of fossiliferous cave-fill breccia, and the laboratory procedures involved a broad range of physical and chemical approaches to reduce this matrix and extract, conserve, and curate the dinosaur bones and microvertebrate remains. The initial state of the remains, and the laboratory procedures followed provide a good case study of historical collections found in many institutions that are in urgent need of care and dedicated work. The program also provided examples of good and bad practice, while training students in laboratory skills. http://www.jpaleontologicaltechniques.org/pasta3/JPT N13/pdf/JPT13_pg_50_64.pdf Have to be patient - takes quite a while to load....

When you find fossils, how do you clean them? I want a way that won't harm them in any way, shape, or form. Most of my specimens have sand in crevices. Any ideas? I did check out some books from my school library, but they're VERY old books and they suggest gasoline for some and to paint the fossils to make them stand out. I didn't think this was modern protocol lol.