My Mammoth Femur Bone!

[medic_diver45]

There are multiple ways of doing things, but the generally accepted one is slow drying then PVA or a similar consolidant;

I think I should mention that there is a difference in the structure between tusks and bones- tusks are simply modified incisors (lateral incisors I do believe but I could be mistaken) and therefor are technically speaking, not bones but teeth and the structure is not as porous as a bone (they're solid in most cases) and far less likely to structurally fail even if grossly mishandled.

 

[Land Locked]

Granted I’m no expert and it has been 5 years since I did the research
but I remember many Web sites that recommended that you not dry the fossil.
I remember their explanation to be, after sitting in water for 11,000 years we are
no longer talking about a bone. The bone has become a rock from the minerals in
the water. As the water evaporates the specimen degrades and begins to crumble.
I remember their recommendation was to slowly replace the water in the artifact
with a binding agent.
After 2 weeks of soaking my specimen did stabilize and stop crumbling.
Again I’m no expert, but I feel if I had just left this piece to sit all I would
have left is little shards, not a pristine bone specimen.
A nice reminder of a great cavern dive and a treat to an otherwise boring safety stop.

 

[CBulla]

Thats why my peice is still in water... its got barnicals and sea growth on it.. something I'm not worried about taking off.. however, I am worried about it drying and crumbling. At some point I am sticking it near an ant hill for a day or so (its been raining a bit here) to clean up the dead stuff and then we'll start the preservation process.

 

[Land Locked]

Thats why my peice is still in water... its got barnicals and sea growth on it.. something I'm not worried about taking off.. however, I am worried about it drying and crumbling. At some point I am sticking it near an ant hill for a day or so (its been raining a bit here) to clean up the dead stuff and then we'll start the preservation process.

Might I suggest seeking professional help there in Fla from a local museum
or curator, I would hate too see a specimen like that become damaged.
And might I suggest you check on state laws concerning the removal and
possesion of this artifact. I think Fla has some specific laws on the books!

Best of luck and GREAT find!

 

[CBulla]

All right here buddy...post #9

http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1107254&postcount=9

 

[ReefGuy]

Thank you for your concern, but people have been suggesting that to Colin for quite some time now. And while I believe he understands the necessity, I think he's just not interested.

Oh! With the fossil. Excellent advice.

Might I suggest seeking professional help there

 

[CBulla]

Hahahaha.... Funny guy, Jeff! HEY! If you feel drag tomorrow while we're diving, I'm not hitching a ride or anything

 

[Wildbill]

Excellent find there guys....(and gal). I hadn't been on the boards for sometime and Colin called yesterday and mentioned the bones that were found.

Wildbill:cop_2:

 

[adurso]

Thats why my peice is still in water... its got barnicals and sea growth on it.. something I'm not worried about taking off.. however, I am worried about it drying and crumbling. At some point I am sticking it near an ant hill for a day or so (its been raining a bit here) to clean up the dead stuff and then we'll start the preservation process.

The bones I picked up last summer (none as large as yours, (that sounds strange)) I soaked in apple cider vinegar per local instruction and they cleaned right up.