 |
| The master at work. Carl’s meticulous preparation is considered by many an art form in itself. |
 |
| A delicate needle sharp scribe is used to remove the fine sediments that cover the fossil. |
|
It is a long step from a seemingly empty slab of shale to a life-like restoration of a complete fossilized organism. Our methods of preparation blend unique artistry with scientific knowledge and great patience. In order to seemingly bring to life the ancient specimen, needle sharp scribes are tediously used to handwork the fine compacted sedimentary layers away from the carbonized creature. Variations of gentle arching motions with the handheld needle scribe along the plane of deposition crumble the minute sedimentary components. Alternate scratching and blowing in this manner removes the shale and exposes the most delicately preserved specimens in the world.
Extreme care must be exercised in the preparation process, guarding against excessive pressure on the fossil. The energy created through the use of the scribe is pressure which must be guided along the plane of deposition and not on down through the fossil. Flaking or chipping of the fossil is often a sign of improper application of pressure. There is a temptation to flick or pry minute pieces of layered shale off of some specimens. This should be strictly avoided, for pieces of the fossil are likely to come off with the flake. Instead, simply use the arching motion and slight pressure to crumble the flakes into dust particles.
A single fossil from this area when properly prepared, takes from five to five-thousand hours of preparation time depending on size and shale type. Small specimens around six inches long usually consume twenty to twenty-five hours of patience.
In our patient restoration we rely largely on our knowledge of bone structure for vertebrates, shell or simple form of invertebrates and shapes of plants.
When the tedious work on one fossil fish is complete fin-ray joints and scale rings may be counted. The fish appears in various dark shades against the lighter shale. A natural glossy sheen is present, covering and protecting the now exposed specimen. We apply no coloring, only a protective coating or preservative to the specimens.
|
