Education and Resources
Preparators' PDFs
A variety of PDFs for preparators are listed below. Contributions are made by SVP members.
View and download Preparators' symposia & session, technical papers, past talks and posters, how-to guides, FAQs, and other references.
Reference for preparators
Maximizing situational conservation and minimizing visual ambiguity to reveal toothmarks on an osteoderm of Typothorax coccinarum, in typical Late Triassic Chinle Formation preservation, using cyanoacrylate and ground matrix exclusively : Peter K Reser, Paleo-Tech, Albuquerque, NM, and Scott Williams, Petrified National Forest, AZ. 2009 - Techniques for recovery and preparation of microvertebrate fossils: Richard L. Cifelli (ed.) Oklahoma Geological Survey Special Publication 96-4. 1996
[In this PDF you will find;
Cifeli, R. L. ; Madsen, S. K.; and Larson, E. M. 1996. Screenwashing and associated recovery techniques for the recovery of microvertebrate fossils, in Cilelli, R. L. (ed.), Techniques for recovery and preparation of microvertebrate fossils: Oklahoma Geological Survey Special Publication 96-4 P.1-24
-and-
Madsen, S. K. 1996. Some techniques and procedures for microvertebrate preparation, in Cifelli, R. L. (ed.), Techniques for recovery and preparation of microvertebrate fossils: Oklahoma Geological Survey Special Publication 96-4 P.25-36]
- The use of linear collapsible foam for molding fossil footprints in the field : Thomas C. Nolan, Robert L. Atkingson, and Bryan Small. 2008. Presented at the First Annual Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium.
- Understanding cyanoacrylate adhesives and consolidants and their use in vertebrate paleontology: Anne S. Elder, Cathy Wenz, and Scott Madsen. 1998. In J. Martin, J. Hogansen, and R. Benton (eds.), Proceedings for the Fifth conference on Fossil Resources, 5:141-143.
Preparators' symposia & sessions
- Production of multi-purpose molds for versatile, detailed replication of large-scaled fossils: the Basilosaurus isis casting project as an exemplar :
Michael Cherney, William Sanders, Philip Gingerich, and Iyad Zalmout, University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Mohamed Antar, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, Wadi-Al-Hitan World Heritage Site, Fayum, Egypt. 2009
- Acid preparation of fossils using sulfamic acid, a weak organic acid, and its advantages over acetic and formic acid preparation: Carlos Padilla and Mary Parra, Fundacion Colombiana de Geobiologia, Bogota, Colombia. 2009
- Armature damage in a mounted specimen:
Robert Evander, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. 2009
- Temporary gap-filling to stabilize an exploded matrix for fossil preparation: the sand and Butvar B-76 technique:
Amy
Davidson, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. 2009
- Reversible filler: A fresh look at Butvar-76 :
Shawn Haugrud, and Brian Compton, East Tennessee Museum of Natural History, Gray, TN. 2008
- Jacketing the desert sands :
Marilyn Fox, Faysal Bibi, and Andrew Hill, Yale University, New Haven, CT. 2008
- Restoration and threedimensional assembly of a nearly complete, articulated Eocele Protocetid whale skeleton from Pakistan: William Sanders, John Graf, Iyad Salmout, Munir Ul-Haq, and Philip Gingerich, University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, Ann Arbor, MI. 2008
- Removing fossil ribs: the thread technique
Amy Davidson, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. 2008
- Air abrasive 101: Jean-Pierre Cavigelli, Tate Museum, Casper, WY. 2007
- Vertebrate microfossil storage, the basics, and a new technique:
Matthew Smith, Kimberly, OR. 2007
- Methods for labeling silicone molds: Jeff Person, Charles Baker, Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Norman, OK. 2007
- Dissolvable support jacket for preparation of thin arthrodire and shark specimens from the Upper Devonian Cleveland and Bedford shales utilizing carbowax 4000: Gary Jackson, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, OH. 2007
- A multi-media solution to complex molding and casting of internal and external surfaces of a fossil Homo erectus cranium from Java:
Amber Heard, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; John Graf, William Sanders, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 2007
- Pyrite oxidation: Review and prevention practices: Akiko Shinya, Lisa Bergwall, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL. 2007
- Discovery, excavation, and preparation of the skull of a new centrosaurine ceratopsian from the Wahweap Formation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM), Southern Utah: Donald De Blieux, Salt Lake City, UT; James Kirkland, Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, UT; Alan Titus, Bureau of Land Management, Kanab, UT. 2006
- Assembling an archival marking kit for paleontological specimens: Amy Davidson, Samantha Alderson, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY; Marilyn Fox, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT. 2006
- Packing and transporting vertebrate fossil overseas: ReBecca Hunt, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. 2006
- Molding and Casting of In-situ Articulated Skeletons in Soft Matrix: A Case Study from the Ashfall Fossil Beds, Nebraska: Gregory Brown, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE. 2005
- A technique to create form-fitted, padded plaster jackets for conserving vertebrate fossil specimens:
Steve J. Jabo, Peter A. Kroehler, and F. V. Grady, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. 2005
- Museum collection management -- Is it really worth digging in a National Park?:
Rachel Benton, Badlands National Park; Ann Elder, Dinosaur National Monument. 2005
- A review of vertebrate fossil support (and storage) systems at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History:
Marilyn Fox and Vicki Yarborough Fitzgerald, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT. 2004
- An investigation of cyclododecane for molding fossil specimens:
Amy Davidson and Lisa Kronthal, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY; Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Conservator in Private Practice, New York, NY. 2004
- A foot-controlled, chip blowing needle for micropreparation of fossil vertebrates: Amy Davidson, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. 1998
- List of all papers by Author
- List of all papers by Title
- List of all papers by Category
- List of all papers by Year
Technical papers
- #1: The Creation of a Micro-scribe for Small Material:
Tim Feda,
Fundy Geological Museum, Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. 2000
- #2: The RONDAN Jacket Support Clamp and Jacket Transport Sled: Ronald E. Peterson and N.V. “Dan” D’Andrea, New Mexico Museum of Natural History; Andrew B. Heckert, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico. 2001
How-to guide
- Casting with epoxy resin using a desiccator chamber, vacuum pump and pressure chamber:
Ian Morrison, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada. 2007
FAQs
- Material & Methods FAQs:
Current FAQs in PDF file.
Materials & Methods: A resource for Preparators of Fossil Vertebrates
PREPLIST
Preparator's Session
Materials & Methods FAQs
Technical Papers
Preparator's Grant
Preparators' PDFs
