Plastering

Scientist secured and filled in the numerous cuts and breaks in the ancient fossils. The surface of the bones was partly porose and had to be treated and hardened. Afterwards the hardened bones were covered in aluminium foil to stop the plaster from entering the bones. Plastering was done by dipping jute cloths in plaster and then putting the cloths on the bones. Depending on the fragility of the bones, this process was repeated numerous times. Once the plaster had hardened the bone was carefully loosened from the stone and the plastering process was repeated with the under side of the bone fragment. Finally the bones were numbered to make sure that they could be put together in the right order after transport was completed.