Field Work Flashcards
Q: What challenges arise when fossils are located on steep cliffs?
A: Fossils on steep cliffs may be unreachable due to their location, making excavation efforts difficult or impossible.
Q: How can modern urban infrastructure affect fossil excavation?
A: Fossils located beneath roads or buildings can be obstructed by construction, making excavation impractical. For example, dinosaur bones found by a sewer maintenance crew in Edmonton were inaccessible for further excavation due to their depth and location.
Q: What environmental factors can affect the preservation of fossils?
A: Predation, weathering, and exposure can affect fossil preservation. Predators might consume carcasses before they are buried, while weathering in environments like deserts or forests can lead to the breakdown of bones over time.
Q: What tools are commonly used in the initial and final stages of fossil excavation?
A: Initial excavation uses geological hammers, chisels, and sometimes dynamite for removing overburden. Final excavation uses delicate tools like dental picks and brushes to avoid damaging the fossils.
Q: How are fossils prepared for transport from the field to the laboratory?
A: Fossils are encased in plaster and burlap to protect them during transportation. A unique identification number is added for tracking. For example, plaster jackets are used for this purpose.
Q: How does rock hardness impact the excavation process?
A: Soft rocks like mudstone or siltstone are easier to work with compared to hard rocks, which require more intensive tools. For instance, Dinosaur Provincial Park has softer rock conditions, while Antarctica presents harder rock conditions.
Q: What transport challenges are faced in remote excavation sites?
A: In remote areas, heavy fossils may require helicopters for transport to the nearest road or facility.
Q: What are bone beds and where are they commonly found?
A: Bone beds are large deposits of bones from multiple individuals, often found in river channels or quiet water environments. For example, the Danek site in Edmonton contains a bone bed of Edmontosaurus.
Q: How can bone fragments provide insights into the life of dinosaurs?
A: Bone fragments can reveal signs of predation or scavenging, such as fractures and tooth marks. For example, spiral fractures and tooth marks from Albertosaurus indicate scavenging behavior.
Q: What does the analysis of teeth and bones reveal about dinosaur behavior?
A: Analysis helps determine species and age, and teeth shed during feeding can provide insight into dinosaur behavior. For instance, Edmontosaurus teeth provide evidence of scavenging by Albertosaurus.
Q: How do quarry maps aid in interpreting fossil evidence?
A: Quarry maps show the distribution and orientation of bones, helping determine burial conditions such as quiet water versus fast-moving water. For example, bone orientation in the Danek site supports a quiet water environment interpretation.
Q: How can evidence of scavenging and bone damage inform us about the circumstances of death?
A: Evidence like bone fractures and scavenger teeth marks helps infer the circumstances of death and post-mortem processes. For example, Albertosaurus teeth and bone fractures suggest scavenging of Edmontosaurus.
Q: What are ongoing research challenges in dinosaur fieldwork?
A: Ongoing research often uncovers new questions about dinosaur life and death, such as environmental factors like drought, fire, or disease that may have led to mass death events.
Q: Why is accurate recording and cataloging important in fossil excavation?
A: Accurate recording and cataloging ensure that fossil data is preserved for future research and public display, providing valuable information about the specimens.
