Chase Pipes is a historian with a strong interest in the extraction and preservation of artifacts and fossils. As the operator and co-owner of the Smoky Mountain Relic Room, Chase Pipes draws on his many years of relationships with dealers, collectors, and historians from all over the world.
Fossilized remains are captivating and delicate finds for any paleontologist. Although some fossils draw more attention than others, all require the utmost care when they are extracted from the surrounding rock. Most fossils are removed with a hammer and chisel. If it can be done safely, large chunks of rock are removed first. Then, paleontologists use a pneumatic air pen to continue removing rock closer to the fossil. The final bits of rock are removed slowly by working under a microscope with tiny diamond burrs. A slow but safer process is used on fossils encased in limestone and chalk. Paleontologists use a weak acid solution to dissolve the rock around the fossil. The acid breaks down calcium carbonate in the rock but leaves the fossils intact since they are composed mostly of calcium phosphate.
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AuthorChase Pipes - Museum-Quality Gems, Minerals, and Historical Artifacts. Archives
June 2022
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