FAQS: Earth Sciences Unit
What is it like to be a palaeontologist?
When in the field, palaeontologists do a lot of physical work. Often, they have to hike into remote areas while carrying a lot of heavy supplies like water, burlap and plaster for encasing fossils in hard protective “jackets”. The summer heat in the dry quarries of southern Saskatchewan can be overwhelming, and sometimes the crew has to start very early in the morning and wait out the hottest part of the day. Some fossils are buried deep into embankments, requiring a tough slog with pickaxes and shovels to remove the sediment (or “overburden”) from above. In addition to excavating, they draw detailed maps, recording exactly what position the fossils were found in and at what depth.
Once the fossils have been removed from the site, they are taken to a lab where the meticulous work of preparation is carried out. Using tools like brushes, dental instruments and special drills called “air scribes,” palaeontologists and technicians remove any surrounding sediment from the fossil surface. They then secure broken pieces with glue and strengthen unstable areas with consolidants.
Once prepared, the fossils are used in scientific research. They are examined and compared to other specimens to better understand the organisms, their behaviour, and the palaeontological history of the area they came from. Any new findings from this research are shared with the scientific community and the public through publications and presentations. The fossils are then catalogued, labeled, and stored in an area with environmental controls to keep them well preserved for future reference. Palaeontologists also have to keep their paper and computer databases up-to-date with information about each fossil added to their collection.
For further information contact the Curator of Earth Sciences
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