By Andy Rich
Once fossils are removed from the field and prepared in the lab, they are ready to be researched or displayed. But where do we start?
If we want to research fossils, the first thing we need is a research project. This is a question that you have and want to answer. Let’s give an example. We want to study Maiasaura. We need to access all recorded information on our Maiasaura fossils. For a study we want to use multiple of the same fossil types.
Fossils that are nice and pretty make for great exhibit pieces. When they aren’t being studied they can be displayed in museums. The main issue is that any museum can only display a small fraction of their collections at a given moment. So we have to pick and choose what to show off. This is a hard decision, based on what the public wants to see. That’s also why museums rotate in and out what exhibits are on display, so we can share more specimens. We also need to make sure the exhibits are well made and educational, so the fossils have to be carefully chosen.
There are so many uses to fossils. These are just some examples. Truly, the sky is the limited.
