How Palaeontologists Work

Question 1

A team of palaeontologists wrote down the steps they took with a new dinosaur fossil in this order: excavation → prospecting → jacketing → preparation → transport → study → display Which statement best explains why this sequence would cause a problem?

Accepted Answer

They tried to excavate before first looking for fossils in the field (prospecting).

Answer

They moved the fossil to the lab before wrapping it in plaster (jacketing).

Answer

They examined the fossil in detail before cleaning and stabilizing it (preparation).

Answer

They put the fossil on exhibit before writing a scientific description (study).

Question 2

Which list shows the correct order of the main stages a palaeontologist follows from finding a fossil to showing it in a museum?

Accepted Answer

Prospecting → Excavation → Jacketing → Transport → Preparation → Study → Display

Answer

Prospecting → Jacketing → Excavation → Transport → Preparation → Study → Display

Answer

Excavation → Prospecting → Jacketing → Transport → Preparation → Study → Display

Answer

Prospecting → Excavation → Transport → Jacketing → Preparation → Study → Display

Question 3

A palaeontologist has uncovered a fragile dinosaur tooth that is just peeking out of the rock. Why should they keep using the tiny brush and small pick instead of a big hammer or chisel?

Accepted Answer

Because the small tools let them remove rock gently so the tooth doesn’t crack or break.

Answer

Because the small tools are lighter to carry up the hill.

Answer

Because using small tools makes the excavation finish faster.

Answer

Because the small tools look nicer when the fossil is displayed in a museum.

Try three questions

A team of palaeontologists wrote down the steps they took with a new dinosaur fossil in this order: excavation → prospecting → jacketing → preparation → transport → study → display Which statement best explains why this sequence would cause a problem?

Which list shows the correct order of the main stages a palaeontologist follows from finding a fossil to showing it in a museum?

A palaeontologist has uncovered a fragile dinosaur tooth that is just peeking out of the rock. Why should they keep using the tiny brush and small pick instead of a big hammer or chisel?

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