Before

What is the Sahara Connection? Getting from Here to There Why are you looking for Dinosaurs in Africa? Stat Sheet: 1997 Expedition to Niger What is Camp Life Like? What Kind of Animals Have You Seen? How is it in Niger? What is the Field Work Like? How to Dig A Dinosaur in 10 Easy Steps What are the Next Steps? Letters to the Field

1. Gather fragments -- Put any bone fragments you find loose on the surface into a collecting bag.  These fragments may be very important later in the laboratory.

2. Outline the bones -- Clean along the edges of the bone with a paintbrush, awl, or garden trowel.  The goal is to find the edges of the bone and get a sense of its size and shape.

3. Trench the bone -- Chisel the rock away from the sides of the bone.  Remember to chisel away from the bone because vibrations from the chisel can crack and destroy the bone.

4. Cut burlap strips -- Cut strips of burlap and soak them in a tub of water.  Soaking them will help absorb plaster.

5. Cover the bone surface -- Cover the top and sides of the exposed bone with moistened paper towels or tin foil.  Make sure all of the exposed surface is covered.

6. Mix plaster -- Mix water with dry plaster until it has a consistency of oatmeal.  Move quickly to the next step because the plaster will harden in minutes!

After

7. Jacket the bones -- Dip the wet burlap strips in the freshly mixed plaster.  Make a protective cast for the bones by covering them with the plaster-dipped burlap.  Add pieces of wood and wire to the jackets of large bones for extra support.  Let dry overnight.

8. Turn the jacket -- Chisel under the jacketed bone until it can be turned easily.

9. Finish the jacket -- Clean the bottom of the bone and complete the jacket (repeat steps 5 through 8).  Add pieces of wood or wire to large jackets for support.

10. Label the jacket -- Now the bone is hidden by the jacket.  Number the jacket and record it in your field book so that you won't forget its contents.