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John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
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All fossils taken from the field must be stabilized before they can be studied. After being removed from the field, fossils are taken to a lab where they can be made available for study. Each fossil goes through stages before it can safely be handled by researchers: stabilization, preparation, and sometimes casting and molding. |
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 Outdoor Patio outside the museum provide a view of the surrounding landscape |
 Excellent exhibits show give visitors a comprehensive glimpse of the area's fossils |
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Once fossils are stabilized, they go through the process of preparation. This step is the painstaking removal of the surrounding stony matrix from the fossil. People use a number of different tools and techniques to carefully remove matrix. Mechanical tools such as air scribes—tiny jackhammers—remove matrix without ever touching the fossil. Sand blasters remove the matrix without sending harmful vibrations through the fossil. Dental picks and micro-needles may be used for high resolution of delicate structures. |
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The museum at the John Day Fossil Beds is specially staffed and equipped to collect, identify, prepare, and preserve rare fossil specimens from the last 50 million years. After being processed, specimens are carefully indexed, catalogued and stored so they can be retrieved and studied by researchers from all over the world. For paleontologists, collection facilities are like libraries—places where information and knowledge can be obtained and used. |
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After being catalogued specimens are placed in drawers in cabinets. The secure storage room is climate controlled to avoid any possible damage from excesses of humidity or temperature. |
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 Inside the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center |
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John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
John Day Fossil Beds In
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