[NHCOLL-L:4514] Removing dust from skulls / bones / racks of horns

[Scott LaGreca]

Dear All,

We're currently planning for an upcoming special exhibition in which
we're featuring all of our old, mounted ungulate skulls (and racks of
antlers): Elk, waterbuffalo, moose, white-tailed deer, you-name-it.

Many of these specimens have been kept in open-air storage and
accumulated a significant amount of dust. 

Please note, these are not taxidermy mounts; they don't have skins. And
they're not fossils, either. 

I'm sure this topic has circulated here before, but somebody, please
humor me:

How can I safely remove the dust from these old skulls and racks of
horns? What is best practice here with regards to conservation.

Thank you very much,

Scott


Scott LaGreca, PhD 
Natural Science Coordinator 
Berkshire Museum 
39 South Street 
Pittsfield, MA  01201  USA 
TEL 413-443-7171, ext. 17 
FAX 413-443-2135 
slagreca at berkshiremuseum.org 

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