Basics of Custom Box Construction

Format: In Person

Level: Basic

Leader: Christina Byrd

Storage space in museum collections is always at a premium and fossils sometimes come in strange shapes and non-standard sizes. Custom archival boxes are a great way to maximize storage space and tailor the structure to fit the needs of the specimen.

In this workshop, we’ll focus on how to construct a custom storage box using archival grade corrugated blue board and hot melt. Participants will learn:

• How to set up the specimen and workspace for box construction
• How to assess the specimen for support needs and preventive storage design
• Learn about the variety of tools and materials that can be used (e.g., Tyvek, Coroplast, cotton tape)
• Create supports using foam (e.g., cavity mounts, foam blocking)

Participants will get hands-on experience making custom boxes for fossils at the Gray Fossil Site and Museum. This will involve long periods standing, handling tools that generate high temperatures, and sharp tools.

Workshop Type: Hands-on

Maximum number of participants per session: 16

Duration of session: 3 hours

Managing Paleontological Resources In Situ

Format: Hybrid

Level: Basic

Leader: Emily Lessner

Paleontological resources (i.e., tracks and fossils) are occasionally managed in situ for public enjoyment or because removal is logistically challenging or unreasonable. Though preservation and matrix is different across localities, management strategies are likely similar. There has been interest in developing a working group on this topic and AMMP serves as a great opportunity for initiation of this group. A working group meeting would be an opportunity for those interested in in situ management to identify locations where this management occurs or could occur, discuss current practices, share strategies, and develop a set of best management practices. The main focus would be on: 1) managing tracks and trackways in situ, 2) managing fossil material in situ. In particular, detailed discussion will cover locations, passive and active management strategies, monitoring strategies, signage, and more. Additional topics for discussion include but aren’t limited to developing locations for casual collection.

Workshop Type: Working Group

Maximum number of participants per session: 50

Duration of session: 3 hours

Number of sessions: 1

Plastic Screen Box Construction

Format: In Person

Level: Basic

Leaders: Stephen Falling, Chris Cox

Participants will observe the entire process of construction of Gray Fossil Site (GFS) plastic screen boxes, taking part in some of the steps if they wish. From start to finish, plastic milk crates will be modified with cut outs, reinforced with aluminum handle plates, and lined with screen and spline before riveting and silicone sealing, and finished with color-coded floats. Performance differences between GFS plastic boxes and traditional wooden screens will be demonstrated and discussed.

Workshop type: Hands-on

Maximum number of participants per session: 20

Duration of session: 3 hours

Number of sessions: 2

Pyrite Task Force : How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent It

Format: Hybrid

Level: Basic

Leaders: Océane Lapauze, Martin Krogmann, Kieran Miles

The conservation of paleontological heritage is one of the fundamental missions of natural history museums and other institutions housing collections. Among the most prevalent risks menacing fossil specimens, the problem of pyrite oxidation, also known as pyrite decay, is of particular importance. Pyrite is a mineral present very often in sediments, especially marine clays, and can be incorporated into fossils during the fossilization process. An exposure of this mineral to inappropriate conditions of oxygen and relative humidity causes oxidation of the pyrite (so called ‘decay’) and can result in the total destruction of the specimen. The oxidation of this mineral leads to an increase in volume, which can be visible as expansion cracking from within. Another sign of pyrite decay is a characteristic smell of sulfur and the presence of a yellowish or gray power. In this workshop, we would like to raise awareness of the issues around pyrite oxidation, and the measures – both preventive and remedial – that can be taken against it.

The workshop is divided into two parts.

First, we will start with a short presentation on what pyrite decay is, how to identify an affected specimen and the different methods currently used to deal with this ‘disease’. Our presentation will include the following methods, and demonstrate with photos and/or videos:

• Anoxic storage with barrier films and oxygen scavengers, and the importance of building a microclimate to prevent further decay.
• Remedial treatment by a combination of ammonia gas and paraffin baths.
• Remedial treatment with ethanolamine thioglycolate (EATG) and the different ways to use this product.

In the second part, we would like to lead a roundtable on the topic of pyrite in geological collections. Participants will be able to share their own experience(s) with pyrite decay and their methods for dealing with it in a discussion with others and/or find ideas or solutions for their collections. Ultimately, the goal of this roundtable will be to exchange knowledge and open an international discussion about pyrite decay.

Workshop Type: Roundtable

Maximum number of participants per session: 15

Duration of session: 1.5 hours

Number of sessions: 4

Screening with Hydrogen Peroxide

Format: In Person

Level: Basic

Leaders: John Clonce, Brad Hoole

Screening fossil-bearing matrix at Gray Fossil Site (GFS) involves a fairly traditional water screening method for a first round, followed by a second round using 3% hydrogen peroxide to finish processing the lacustrine clays.

Participants will observe and (if they wish) can take an active part in the entire work flow process. This will include:

• Filling sets of screens and checking data retention.
  
• One 10 minute round of traditional GFS wet-screening.
  
• Consolidation of dried matrix from screen sets to single combiner screens.
  
• One 20 minute hydrogen peroxide bath followed by rinse.
  
• Inspection and bagging.
  
• Discussion of process throughout, as well as immediate results, long term results, and impact on workflow and research.
  

Workshop Type: Hands-on

Maximum number of participants per session: 20

Duration of session: 1.5 hours

Surveying Fossils

Format: In Person

Level: Basic

Leaders: Brian Compton, Ray Mann

Participants will join Gray Fossil Site surveyors on site to learn about the use of surveying total stations, data collectors, and related software for mapping of fossils, features, and grid corners. Attendees may participate in a training exercise setting up squares and mapping fossil casts.

Workshop Type: Hands-on

Maximum number of participants per session: 20

Duration of session: 1.5 hours

Number of sessions: 4