Adhesives For Paleontological Conservation

Assembling an Archival Marking Kit for Paleontological Specimens

by Amy Davidson

A.R. Davidson, S. Alderson, M. Fox 2006
Poster presentation, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting
Ottawa, ON, Canada

abstract published in:
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Vol.26, Supplement to Number 3,
11 September, 2006, p.56A

Will the number you put on your specimen, its tag, box or other housing, be legible in one hundred years? Is it... more Will the number you put on your specimen, its tag, box or other housing, be legible in one hundred years? Is it rub-proof, water -proof, fade-proof? Will a future worker be able to remove it if necessary?
This poster will present a plan for assembling an archival marking kit, adapted for fossils from a similar kit for anthropological objects. Having a well-designed kit saves time, and can help to improve and standardize marking practices. The proposed kit includes a variety of high quality materials, including India ink, acrylic paint, Acryloid/Paraloid B72 in a convenient nail-polish bottle and also in a tube, Japanese and archival papers, Bristol board, and various dispensers, brushes, pens etc. Possible additions to the kit (such as disposable pens) will be discussed.
Even the best materials can fail if not used well! This poster illustrates marking failures and solutions for problematic fossil surfaces (dark, rough, friable, very small or fragile, etc.), and problematic materials such as coated surfaces and plastics. Also included are a discussion of permanence and removability, looking both at the materials included in the kit and others that could be used or have been used in the past.

A REPORT ON A MINI-SEMINAR ON ADHESIVES FOR FOSSIL PREPARATION

by Amy Davidson

Davidson, A.R. 2009.
In: Methods In Fossil Preparation: Proceedings of the First Annual Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium, pp.111-122. Brown, M.A., Kane, J.F. and W.G. Parker eds.

Consolidation of fragile fossil bone from Ukhaa Tolgod, Mongolia (late Cretaceous) with Conservare OH 100

by Amy Davidson

Bisulca, C., Kronthal Elkin, L., and A. Davidson. 2009
Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 48: 37–50.

An Introduction to Solution and Reaction Adhesives for Fossil Preparation

by Amy Davidson

Davidson, A. and S. Alderson. 2009.
In: Methods In Fossil Preparation: Proceedings of the First Annual Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium, pp 53-62. Brown, M.A., Kane, J.F. and W.G. Parker eds.

Ineffective consolidation: Poor penetration or peripatetic polymer?

by Gregory Brown

Brown, Gregory W., SVP 2002. Journal of Paleontology, Abstracts of Papers. Vol. 22, Supplement to Number 3, pp. 38A-39A.

Stabilization of friable specimens has always been a fundamental goal of fossil preparation. Various chemical... more Stabilization of friable specimens has always been a fundamental goal of fossil preparation. Various chemical consolidants have been used over the years with varying success, but achieving thorough (deep) consolidation has been an eternal problem for preparators. Traditional wisdom attributes shallow consolidation to lack of penetration by the polymer/solvent consolidant solution and asserts that solutions should be kept dilute to facilitate maximum penetration. Experimental results, however, show that shallow consolidation is not necessarily the result of shallow penetration of the consolidant solution, but is more often the result of the migration of polymer back towards the surface of a specimen as the solvent carrier evaporates. Strategies that help mitigate consolidant migration include using multiple applications of increasing polymer concentration, physically or chemically slowing solvent evaporation, and using a mixture of solvents with different solubility/volatility properties. Some historic and recent remedies that have been suggested have included using various non-solvent-based consolidants (reaction adhesives), however few if any of those materials are acceptable to conservators. Since conservators are concerned with the long-term preservation of specimens and minimum alterative intervention, goals which should be shared by the vertebrate paleontology community, we would do well to heed their advice. The safe approach is to understand the mechanics and limitations of solvent-based consolidant systems which meet conservation standards and to modify our methods of application to achieve maximum effect. When combined with good storage materials and methods, there is seldom need to resort to more risky treatments. While extreme situations may occasionally require extreme action, routinely relying on quick and easy fixes that do not meet (or have not yet met) conservation standards should be avoided.

THREE DIMENSIONAL PREPARATION OF A LATE CRETACEOUS STURGEON FROM MONTANA: A CASE STUDY

by Matthew Brown

Constance Van Beek and Matthew A. Brown

Thorough description of an exceptionally well-preserved fossil sturgeon required
nearly complete disarticulation... more Thorough description of an exceptionally well-preserved fossil sturgeon required
nearly complete disarticulation of much of the skull, as well as preparation of fins
and other very delicate structures. Preparation took place in distinct stages in order
to allow for detailed photographic documentation of the structure and relationship of
individual bones before they were disassociated from the skeleton. Prior preparation
and application of materials presented challenges to cleaning of surfaces that were
overcome using a combination of chemical and gentle mechanical preparation methods.
Combinations of consolidants were experimented with until a method for stabilization
for fragile parts of the skeleton was decided upon. Extreme care was
required during disarticulation of the very delicate elements, and a storage method
was devised to maintain relationships of individual bones after removal from the
skull. Justification was made based on research needs to sacrifice certain aspects of
conservation principles in selection of non-reversible adhesives and consolidants for
stabilization, repair, and reconstruction.