Defining “Best Practices”

The phrase “in accordance with best practices” is often used when describing fossil preparation and field techniques. However, a uniform set of best practices for fossil preparation and conservation are not clearly established, and many resources on this topic are not easily accessible to preparators, both new and seasoned alike, to access for reference. The 2026 AMMP symposium aims to begin the process of defining a set of best practices within the field of fossil preparation through discussion, case studies, and research. The result of this effort will be made easily accessible to all preparators. To start the process, ten broad categories are identified, each with its own subset of topics, which cover a breadth of fossil preparation, conservation, and field techniques. The categories and examples of their topics (not exhaustive) are as follows:

Health and Safety is a broad category that aims to prevent workplace accidents and illnesses. Topics include personal protective equipment (such as use, fit, and expiry), first aid, ergonomics, and chemical hygiene.

Fossil Handling & Storage refers to the storage, stabilization, and general management of fossils. Topics include radon mitigation, archival supports, and the shipping of specimens.

Fieldwork involves paleontological activities in the field. Topics include mapping, hydration, sun protection, lifting and carrying, and tool use.

Micros covers micro-fossils, microscopes, and micro-preparation. Topics include micro-fossil storage, screenwashing, and using microscopes to prepare fossils.

Replication covers a variety of techniques. Topics include molding and casting, 3D scanning and printing, and computed tomography (CT) scanning.

Documentation and Digitization includes topics such as labeling fossils, recording fossil preparation notes, and the digitization of those files.

Specimen Repair includes topics such as the use of gap fillers, mulberry paper, and other repair techniques.

Adhesives includes topics such as mixing adhesives, the removal of old adhesives, and how to select the proper adhesive for a task.

Mechanical Preparation involves all mechanical fossil preparation. Topics include tool use (air scribes, air abrasion, manual tools, etc.), tool maintenance, training, and how to select the proper tool for a task.

Chemical Preparation involves the use of a chemical substance to prepare or recover fossils. Topics include pyrite mitigation, acid preparation, and use of chemicals in screenwashing.

Speakers at the symposium should propose best practices for a specific topic, providing a starting point for the development of a FoPaC Guide on that topic. Please limit your proposal to a maximum of two topics. Topics chosen can cover more than one category. Proposals should discuss methods, materials, and results, as well as for which situations the methods and materials are most appropriate. Proposals must also outline issues or hazards present within their chosen topic(s). For example, allergies/sensitization while working with polyurethane. If your topic includes techniques that are no longer used (i.e., retired best practices), please outline those as well and discuss why they’re outdated.