Fossil Replicas
Making fossil replicas is as much an art as it is a science. See how the CFDC creates lifelike replicas that enrich the museum experience.
Clidastes Mosasaur Skull (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Fossils
Fossils are at the center of the CFDC experience, and displaying them is a great way of educating the public about the ancient marine life that used to flourish in Manitoba.
Fragments
However, these fossils are often too fragile or fragmentary to be displayed effectively or safely. How can we make these valuable specimens available to the public while protecting them from damage?
Plesi the Plesiosaur (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Replicas
One option is to create replicas. Undistinguishable from the original fossil, replicas are frequently used for display in permanent or temporary museum exhibits throughout the world.
Choosing Methods
Museums use various methods ranging from 3D printing to mold-and-cast to create replicas, choosing their methods based on the size and condition of the original fossil and the purpose of the display. For this Story, we'll focus on the methods used by the CFDC.
Mosasaur Jaw (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Our Collections
The CFDC has created replicas of a number of fossils in its collection, such as this fossilized mosasaur jaw.
Small Replicas
For smaller replicas such as the one on the left, the CFDC uses silicone to create molds of the fossils in our collection, and then we fill them with a plastic resin and paint them.
Clidastes Skull Replica (2023) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
We've made replicas of many of the most well-known specimens in our collection, like the Clidastes skull we saw earlier. You can even buy some of these replicas in our gift shop!
Large Replicas
Replicas of larger fossils can be more challenging to create. Let's take a look at how the CFDC's executive director, Adolfo Cuetara, created a replica of a 2-m long sauropod femur using the mold-and-cast method. Turiasaurus is believed to be the largest dinosaur found in Europe
The first step in this process is to create a mold. To start, the parts of this Turiasaurus femur were placed in a sandbox and surrounded by a clay base.
Applying Silicone (2023) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
The Inner Layer
Then, a layer of silicone rubber was applied directly to the fossil to create a flexible inner layer.
Applying Polyester (2023) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Completing the Mold
Next, polyester was applied to create a harder layer. The pieces were then flipped over, and the process was repeated for the other side until the mold was complete.
Fossil vs. Replica
The mold was then filled with resin to create cast, and this cast was painted to match the original fossil. Can you tell which one is the real fossil?
Suzy the Mosasaur (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Full Specimen Replicas
Replicas are especially important when it comes to displaying full specimens in a meaningful way. Due to the effects of time, it's exceedingly rare to find a complete skeleton, and even when most of the bones are found, they're often in a state that makes them hard to recognize.
The Original Bruce (2023) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
Fragments of Bruce
While you might know Bruce from our award-winning displays, you likely wouldn't even recognize what kind of animal Bruce was just by looking at the collected bones.
Bruce the Mosasaur (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
The Bruce Replica
To create a clearer picture, the CFDC and its partners have created complete replicas of entire specimens like the famous mosasaur Bruce. These replicas provide invaluable information about the animal's overall appearance and so much more.
Roto-Casting
While some full-specimen replicas also use the mold-and-cast method for each individual bone, more complex replicas can use roto-casting, which ensures that the resin fills even the smallest details.
Hesperornis Reconstruction (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre
A Challenge
The museum experience wouldn't be complete without replicas, but you might not even realize it's a replica when you see one. When you next visit the CFDC, try to see if you can figure out which displays contain replicas and which displays contain real fossils.
Want to see more of the CFDC's replicas? Replicas of Fossils – Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (discoverfossils.com)
