Preparing Dinosaurs: The Work behind the Scenes

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the skilled work that helps turn fossils into scientific specimens. In Preparing Dinosaurs, Caitlin Wylie examines the work of fossil preparators, the technicians who carefully remove fossils from rock, repair damaged bones, and reconstruct specimens for research and museum display. Drawing on observations and interviews, Wylie explores the creativity, judgment, craftsmanship, and problem-solving involved in preparing fossils and the important role these workers play in paleontology.

Why You’ll Love This

• Reveals the careful work behind the dinosaur skeletons seen in museums
• Explores how fossil preparators use creativity, craftsmanship, and scientific judgment
• Examines how preparation choices can influence what scientists learn about ancient life
• Looks at the relationships between paleontologists, preparators, museums, and other research workers
• Offers a broader perspective on the many people whose expertise contributes to scientific discovery

Discover the people and processes behind fossil research and gain a new appreciation for the skilled work that helps bring the prehistoric past to life.