Aurelius Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Hi there, We recently found a large-ish (palm-sized) chunk of loose fossil wood on the Dorset coast. It's not been transformed into stone, it's still wood, but carbonised. We're keen to preserve it, but it has been exposed to seawater, so drying out is a problem. When it dries it begins to crack and fracture on the surface. We're currently drying it slowly by putting it in a plastic container with wet paper towels, and a few small holes in the lid, but I'm wondering if there's anything else I should do to preserve it? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paleoflor Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 If it has been exposed to salty (sea)water, I would give it a soak treatment (getting the salts out) before doing any drying. Searching for green in the dark grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 There is useful information here: LINK "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Im glad i see this post i found some fossilized wood from Brighstone Bay on the Isle of Wight it has some really nice pyrite on it which looks like gold . When i got home with it though it was all dry and cracked im going to brush lots of coats of a PVA solution on to them to see if that will hold them together. Heres some photos of some off them. Regards, Elliot. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/outfossiling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 I hope you have good luck preserving that fossil wood specimen, Elliot; it is very attractive "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelius Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 Hi Elliot - let us know how that works out. I'm going to continue to soak my wood in fresh water for a week or two, then add it to a solution of sugar, water and an antimicrobial agent, and then increase the amount of sugar on a weekly basis. We've found some beautiful wood lately, much of it not seeming to require any treatment, having not been near the water, but it would be good to have a good solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now