Get the rocks off

First off, a big thanks to anyone who came along to Science Uncovered- it was a huge success, with over 10,000 visitors attending the event (including a lucky few who had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and visit us here in the Conservation Centre).

Back to the Niger Sauropod now in this series detailing our fossil preparation project. Today’s post is about matrix removal. This doesn’t refer to another disappointing sequel to the 1999 sci-fi movie The Matrix, but rather to the next stage of preparation- removing the rock from the bones. We call the sediment that the fossil is preserved in the matrix, and a large part of the preparator’s time is spent removing this material.

l          

How much of this matrix is removed will vary depending on a variety of factors- in some cases, the surrounding matrix may provide valuable data, or sometimes the bones may be so slender of fragile that leaving them partly set in the rock provides support for them. If the fossil is being prepared for display, then it may be part-prepared in a way that makes it aesthetically pleasing.

In our case the bones we have are mostly loose, and the researchers are interested in the overall morphology of the bones, so we’re just removing all the rock adhering to the fossils completely. In some places the dry, sun-baked desert rock can be picked off with a scalpel or modelling knife. In other areas though, the rock is, well, rock-hard, and cemented onto the bones, and more advanced tools are needed. Let’s have a quick look at some of the tools of the trade:

Air-scribe. One of the most versatile tools used by fossil preparators. This is an air-powered engraving pen that works much like a miniature pneumatic drill. The pitch and frequency can be changed and they come in a variety of sizes. 

.


NSK. This electrically powered hand-held tool is a rotary cutter/grinder- different heads can be attached for different jobs. The main ones we’re using are a diamond-tipped cutter for slicing into the matrix, and a grinding head for wearing away the rock

.  


Air abrasive. Once we get very close to the bone, the air-abrasive tool can be ideal for fine detailed work. It’s essentially a mini sand-blaster, firing a stream of compressed air and powder.

.

Once all the rock matrix has been removed, it’s time to fix the breaks and cracks- but that’s a job for a later post.
 

Kieran Miles has been working at the Natural History Museum in some capacity for 7 years. He did not enjoy the Matrix sequels.

Comments

Submitted by Garth (not verified) on

More exciting and infinitely more coherent than the Matrix sequels. Enjoying these blogs muchly. Keep up the good work.

Rock on! (see what I did there)

Submitted by John (not verified) on

Hi Kieran,
Is there a certainty in the field that was is removed is unimportant? Is there much discussion about about how the removed matter may prove to have more interest in future analysis?

Submitted by Riley (not verified) on

While on the subject, is there a tool I can use to remove memories of The Matrix sequels from my brain?

Submitted by Bendita (not verified) on

Great post at DAVID ICKE ( SOME VIDEOS ) | Todos Libres. I was checking clisnnuoutoy this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful information specifically the last part I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

Submitted by Rona (not verified) on

Wow, fantastic blog lauyot! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is great, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about DAVID ICKE ( SOME VIDEOS ) | Todos Libres .

Submitted by Sapna (not verified) on

Wow, superb blog lauoyt! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about DAVID ICKE ( SOME VIDEOS ) | Todos Libres .

Submitted by Abhishek (not verified) on

Wow, superb blog luyoat! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is excellent, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about DAVID ICKE ( SOME VIDEOS ) | Todos Libres .

Submitted by Owiny (not verified) on

Wow, fantastic blog luoyat! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, let alone the content!. Thanks For Your article about DAVID ICKE ( SOME VIDEOS ) | Todos Libres .

Submitted by Igor (not verified) on

i love that thing your hand is doing too. and i've decided that fall is detneifily my favorite season too. the colors this year have just been amazing.also, just spent like 30 min looking through several pages of pictures on here. i love your photos, nicole. i may be motivated to get my own camera out again. maybe.

Add new comment

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith