The Laboratory and Preparation Room of Kronosaurus Korner is where we carry out all fossil processing and identification of fossils.The Curator and volunteers use a combination of mechanical and chemical techniques to ready embedded fossils for display. Tools that are used include dental drills and pneumatic hammers. The main chemical used to dissolve the limestone around fossils is formic acid.
The fossil is then washed in water for the same period of time to remove acid crystals from the fossil's bone structure. The fossil is then allowed to dry, and the newly-exposed bone is then coated with paraloid. The cycle is then repeated. The facility also has an outdoor acid process facility for processing large and heavy fossil specimens.
The cycle of preparation of a fossil includes preparing the fossil for acid treatment, coating it with paraloid glue and placing it in acid for up to 24 hours. In this period of time 1mm of limestone will have been removed.
Kronosaurus Korner has been privileged to work with a number of paleontologists over the years, including the late Dr Mary Wade, Dr Troy Myers, Mr Adam Morrell and visiting guests such as Dr Colin McHenry from the University of Newcastle and Dr Alan Bartholomai.
Our resident Curator Mr Paul Stumkat currently oversees the collections at Kronosaurus Korner and preparation of new discoveries.
Students are invited to visit Kronosaurus Korner to undertake research. Prior arrangement is essential.
