Preparation Of A Disarticulated Ophthalmosaurus Skeleton To Retain Important Taphonomic Details

Abstract

The preparation of vertebrate specimens for display or sale often leads to the destruction of important taphonomic information. For example, a huge variety of organisms (from nematode worms to fish) may utilise a rotting carcass and leave traces on the bones. These are rarely preserved at time of burial, and if present are seldom retained by preparators. Bones covered in iron oxide are especially susceptible to loss of surface detail as the matrix is harder than the fossil. Application of the Waller Method allows full removal of the iron oxide without losing any of the taphonomic information preserved beneath.