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III. Dismantling
the Skull
Preparators
Amy Henrici, Norm Wuerthele, and Yvonne Wilson will separate the
fossilized bones of T. rex's skull from the plaster reconstruction.
First, the plaster portions of the skull will be cut into several
more manageable pieces. Preparators will then work on each
piece individually, carefully cleaning away plaster to expose
the bones themselves. Each fossilized bone will be meticulously
inspected and repaired if any cracks are found.
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Was
T. rex framed?
The first step in working on the skull involved removing the
metal framework from the upper jaw. Preparator Norm
Wuerthele removed the bolts fastening the metal brace to the
skull. While this step proved relatively straightforward,
preparators were not certain if additional metal braces had
also been placed inside the plaster. To answer
this question, they used magnets to identify metal supports
concealed inside the plaster and marked their location.
The preparators were then able to cut around the frame when
they divided the skull into sections. |
removing
the metal supports |
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applying
special hardener |
A
Sticky Situation
An important part of the conservation process involves repairing
tiny cracks in the fossilized bones with a special glue.
This low-viscosity glue, known as a penetrant stabilizer,
seeps into the smallest cracks. In addition, it is very
strong and resistant to many types of solvents. Here,
Preparator Yvonne Wilson applies the special adhesive to the
skull of T. rex. |
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Tools
of the Trade
Preparators utilize a variety of specialized tools in their
work on the T. rex skull:
Medical
Cast Cutter: This electric circular saw is identical
to those used by medical doctors to remove plaster
casts from patients. In this case, it will be
used to cut the plaster portions of T. rex's
skull into smaller sections.
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Air
Scribe: Resembling a miniature jackhammer, this
tool runs on
a pressurized airline. It is used to scrape
away plaster and other material.
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Carbide
Tip in a Pin Vise: This is a more delicate scraping
tool. A vise in the handle holds a hardened
carbide tip that is more durable than steel. When
they wear out, the carbide tips can be replaced.
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Dental
Picks: These picks are used
for intricate scraping work.
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Brushes:
The preparators' toolkit includes brushes with
bristles ranging from very stiff (wire brushes) to
very soft (toothbrushes).
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Next page:
Reconstructing the Skull
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