Researchers set to benefit from exhumed marine animal bones

  • 2014-11-05
A decade after they were buried, the remains of about 20 animal specimens have been unearthed by the Collections and Research Centre in Welshpool, Western Australia.

Among the specimens dug up were a Shepherd’s Beaked Whale, small turtles, a bird and an African Painted Dog skull.

According to Mark Harvey, WA Museum’s head of terrestrial zoology, excavation would be followed by the bones being dusted off. Warm soapy water would then be used to scrub off excess grit and dirt.

The high amount of oil in bones of the larger marine mammals will be soaked in acetone, which Dr Harvey said was able to leech out imbedded oil.

Soaking bones in diluted bleach will also help to make them a bright white.

Cleaning bones through the burial method can take up to three years, according to Dr Harvey.

He said the specimens were buried because it was an effective way to clean the bones. The work is done by the soil’s naturally occurring invertebrates, and is cleaner and less smelly.

Once prepared, the specimens will be made available for research purposes in the Centre’s reference collection. It is proposed that some will also be on show from 2020 in the New Museum.

No doubt images of these specimens will also be the subject of promotional brochure printing campaigns for the WA Museum in the future.