Welcome Thanks for joining us for Excavating Fossils

Welcome! Thanks for joining us for - “Excavating Fossils” Presented by: Dava Butler, Education Coordinator, Waco Mammoth National Monument and Graduate Student, Montana State University This webinar will begin at 7: 05 pm Eastern time. • If you didn’t enter your first and last name in the “Guest” field, please close this window and log back in using your full name (necessary to keep track of attendance). • If you joined us early and are waiting— Ø Please feel free to write a question in the Chat Box! We will try to answer it during the presentation. Ø Don’t forget to join the my. FOSSIL community at www. myfossil. org • Having technical problems? Ask us for help by typing in the chat box or check the troubleshooting guide at https: //www. idigbio. org/wiki/index. php/Web_Conferencing

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Excavating Fossils • Definitions • Fossil Law • Ethics and Protecting Yourself • Carthage Institute of Paleontology, 2016 Expedition – Case Study 1: Tyrannosaurid in Sand – Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock • Finding a Team • Wrap-Up and Q&A

Definitions • What is a fossil? – A fossil is evidence of life found in a geologic context. • Body fossils are physical remains of an organism. • Trace fossils are evidence of behavior of an organism. • Chemical fossils are organic compounds created by organisms.

Definitions Paleontology • • The study of the history of life Excavates fossils Archaeology • • The study of human history and culture Excavates artifacts Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fossil Law Each state has different laws. • In most states, fossils belong to the owner of the land where they were found. • Some states have special laws regarding vertebrate fossils. Beyond law, we should consider ethics. • Every fossil is a unique piece of information. • Fossils cannot contribute to scientific knowledge without context. • How do we judge what might be significant?

Protecting Yourself The surest way to protect oneself is to work with an ethical team. What to look for: • History of research • Permits for excavation • Fossils are in public trust

Carthage Institute of Paleontology Dr. Thomas Carr and Dr. Megan Seitz Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin • Annual expeditions to the Hell Creek Formation in eastern Montana • Excavations are conducted under permit on Bureau of Land Management holdings • Specimens are accessioned by the accredited Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Case Study 1: Tyrannosaurid in Sand Photo courtesy of Carthage Institute of Paleontology

Case Study 1: Tyrannosaurid in Sand Photo courtesy of Carthage Institute of Paleontology

Case Study 1: Tyrannosaurid in Sand Photo courtesy of Carthage Institute of Paleontology

Case Study 1: Tyrannosaurid in Sand Photo courtesy of Carthage Institute of Paleontology

Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock Photo courtesy of Carthage Institute of Paleontology

Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock

Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock

Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock

Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock

Case Study 2: Ceratopsid in Rock Photo courtesy of Laura Shields

Finding a Team Many organizations are looking for new team members. • FOSSIL Project • Local paleontological societies • Museums • The Mammoth Site • Tate Geological Museum • And many more!

Q&A

Wrap-up & Survey • This concludes the presentation. Thanks! • The final webinar in this series is: – Nov 30 – Fossil Prep Basics with Rachel Narducci from FLMNH • Remember to take the short (5 to 10 minutes) feedback survey at: http: //tinyurl. com/jtn 8 fzb • Visit us at my. FOSSIL to access: this Powerpoint, recorded webinars, participate in webinar forum, and connect with others. • And, stay tuned for info about our Spring 2017 webinar series, with theme of “Women in Paleontology!”