Hobbies And Interests
Separation
Separating fossils refers to several different stages and methodologies. A fossil will need to be separated from the sand, rock or liquid in which it was found, and it may need to be separated from organic matter and other fossils. Separating fossils sometimes involves treating them with chemicals or suspending them in solution to remove the hardened clay or rock in which they have been encased.
Identification
Fossils cannot be properly identified until they have been separated from their discovery site and cleaned. Identifying a fossil may be possible from prior study, or it may require genetic or carbon-14 testing to determine age.
Organization
Fossils that have been identified are usually organized according to the requirements of a specific project or expedition. Numerous bone fragments and small fossils may be organized to re-create the skeleton of a person or animal. Fossils might also be organized by weight, size, age or the geographic area in which they were located. Organization is usually geared toward illustrating a broad interpretation.
Interpretation
Interpretation of fossils frequently focuses on the whole, rather than its parts. Fossils are analyzed in comparison and contrast to small areas, regions and entire ecosystems. Interpretation is often intended to help form a hypothesis about how an extinct creature lived and interacted in its natural environment.