Paleo Lab
Saddleback College
Renée Garcia
TH 2:00 - 3:30pm
Office: BGS 348
rgarcia43@saddleback.edu
Tel: 949.582.4832
FOCUS OF THE COURSE: This course will focus on vertebrate fossil
preparation techniques. The goal is to prepare fossils for research and exhibit
purposes. We will discuss museum methods and practices, particularly related to
vertebrate fossils. Each student will be expected to expose vertebrate fossils
from a variety of matrices by implementing techniques learned in this class. You
will be responsible for documenting each step of the process.
TEXT: No required text although I will require articles and will provide some
handouts. You will need a notebook to document your laboratory activities.
The following text will be referred to as a reference: Vertebrate Paleontological
Techniques, Volume One edited by Patrick Leggi and Peter May, Cambridge
University Press, 1994.
GRADING: Your grade will be based primarily on the effort you demonstrate in
the lab (attendance is required) and personal notebook.
SOME OF THE TOPICS PLANNED TO BE COVERED DURING THIS
COURSE:
Fossil Preparation
Consolidants and Adhesives
Taphonomic Considerations
Mapping and Documentation
OPTIONAL FIELD TRIPS:
We will visit the San Diego Natural History Museum and Bones Clones. As well as
sites, schedule and weather permitting. Dates TBA.