Introduction

Many of the best fossil locations are located on the coast, where the rate of erosion is at its highest. The rate of erosion is most rapid in areas where the rock is relatively softer i.e. chalk, shale and clay. If collecting in these areas the first and most important step in protecting your finds is to prevent them from drying out. This is necessary as allowing them to dry before applying water could splinter fragile fossils. Once home the next step is to soak the fossil in cold water to remove any trace of sea salt from the rock. If this step is missed the fossil may simply disintegrate after a couple of years, especially chalk specimens.

Soaking chalk fossils in fresh water to remove salt from the rock.

Ideally the fossils should be soaked for at least two weeks. The picture above shows a collection of chalk fossils from Eastbourne undergoing this treatment.  If soaked outside cover the container with a dark cover to prevent algae from growing on the fossils.

Once the soaking is complete the fossil is ready for cleaning.  This can be completed while the fossil is wet or dry (if you have access to an abrasive tool). In in doubt, please contact us for advice.

Always keep cleaning and repairing fossils to the absolute minimum.  It's often the case that fossils will be completely or partially covered with the surrounding material, known as the 'matrix'. In some instances the matrix can be easily removed, while at other times the material is much more resilient.

There are a number of techniques for preparing fossils, ranging from the simple use of a pocket knife, to the more advanced methods involving organic acids and abrasive tools. When deciding which technique to use it's important to consider how fragile the fossil is, and how hard the surrounding matrix is. The basic tools necessary for preparing fossils include: Penknife/Chisel/Dentist's probe, small brush/toothbrush, glue and polyfilla.

Compressed Air-Pen

The professional choice for fossil preparation are air-pens. These tools act like miniature pneumatic drills, cutting through unwanted matrix to reveal the fossil. The pen itself is connected by a long pipe to a motor powered compressor unit, which provides air to the tool. At the tip of the tool is a tungsten tip that moves back and forth around 40,000 times per minute!

Airpens make easy work of tough matrix.

Unfortunately the initial outlay for this equipment is quite high, but the results can be excellent. If you're considering purchasing an airpen please contact us and we'll direct you to our recommended supplier.

Sharp implement

The easiest and most commonly used technique for cleaning fossils involves the use of a sharp implement, often a penknife or dentist's probe. Such tools must be used carefully to avoid slipping, which could result in damage to the fossil or yourself.

Ammonite from Seatown prepared with a penknife.

Sharp implements are most suited to soft matrix, such as the Jurassic clay found at Lyme Regis. The ammonite above (found at Seatown) was prepared using a penknife to carefully etch away the excess matrix. In this instance the ammonite was exposed after only half an hour, revealing a high quality specimen. This technique is also well suited to preparing Cretaceous fossils found in chalk, including echinoids commonly found at Seven Sisters in East Sussex.

Echinoid in chalk prepared using a penknife.

Setting in Polyfilla

For some fossils it may be advantageous to surround the fossil with a stronger material such as Polyfilla. The example above is a trilobite from Shadwell quarry in Much Wenlock (Shropshire). The matrix surrounding the trilobite is extremely fragile and would have crumbled away without immediate treatment.

Polyfilla can provide a strong surrounding for particularly fragile fossils.

To begin with, mix a small quantity of Polyfilla in a flat dish, then press the fossil into the mix. After about 15 minutes, take a sharp knife and cut around the fossil, as pictured above. Leave the Polyfilla to dry for a further 24 hours before handling.

Glues

It's inevitable that some fossils will become damaged during transit, or cleaning. All is not lost though, with the right glue it's usually possible to make repairs to the fossil. Superglues are a popular choice, as they bond within several minutes, but allow several minutes to make adjustments if required. However the downside of using theses glues is the inability to reverse the repairs if necessary. If the fossil is of particular value, it is worth considering the use of Paraloid B72, now used in most museums. It’s a methacrylate co-polymer and although it is very strong it can be dissolved with acetone. (To order Paraloid B72 call 01865 747755).

To begin repairs to the fossil, place a very small amount on one side of the broken piece. Bring the two sides together and press them firmly in place. Allow up to 24 hours for the repair to bond completely.

A great family day out...

Left: Participants on various Discovering Fossils and Junior Geo fossil hunting events. Right: Families handle some real fossils at the event base.

Join us on an organised fossil hunt! Discovering Fossils and JuniorGeo have joined forces to provide a series of exciting prehistoric experiences for families and individuals of all ages and levels of knowledge. Our events include an introduction to the geology and fossils, followed by a group fossil hunt where everyone has an opportunity to find and collect a variety of fossils. To find out more CLICK HERE.

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