[NHCOLL-L:2892] Long-term storage and research needs for small mammal teeth

[Jude.Southward at dmns.org]

Hi All!    
    
The DMNS is beginning to collect small (2-4mm) vertebrate mammal fossil
teeth. 

The existing collection of teeth is mounted as follows:  
-a tooth is adhered with wax on a specimen mounting pin 
-the free end of the pin is inserted into a cork to a standardized depth
 -the cork is placed in a half-dram glass shell vial, tooth down
-multiple vials are placed in a storage box within a plastic grid that
is cut from the grids that cover fluorescent lights
-accession labels are placed on one end of the cork and within the
storage box
-during research, the cork is removed, turned upside-down, and the tooth
is examined under a microscope.


We (Curator, Collections Manager, and Conservator) are interested in
what other museums are doing for mounting these specimens and what
thoughts you have had as to how these methods affect long-term research
and storage preservation needs.

-what adhesives/waxes do you use to attach the specimen to the needle?
good/bad experience?

-has anyone noticed any deterioration with the cork?

-is anyone using another product other than the cork?  source?  has
anyone used the synthetic cork? Does anyone know what the
materials/method of manufacture is for the synthetic cork?

-what are people using for storage boxes/grids??


Thanks so much.  Jude


__________________________
Jude Southward
Conservator 
Museum Conservation Department
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado Boulevard
Denver, Colorado 80205-5798
Direct: 303.370.6496
Fax: 303.370.6313
E-mail: jsouthward at dmns.org


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