Page 74 - The Restless Earth Fossils

Finding and excavating Fossils 73

This 3-inch (8-cm) dinosaur tooth fragment was found exposed to
air at an albertosaur site at the Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta,
Canada.

set of bones and flip it over to repeat the process on the other
side. A truck, helicopter, or other vehicle can then transport the
plastered specimen to a museum or other location for further
preparation.
Even during the excitement of discovery, it is important to
keep careful records. Each cast, box, plastic bag, or newspaper-
wrapped specimen should be clearly labeled with information that
corresponds to field records. Preparation may lag behind collec-
tion for months, years, or even decades, depending on the avail-
ability of research funds, volunteers, or interest. In 2007, a fossil

RE_Fossils2print.indd 73 3/17/09 9:00:27 AM