Paleontologists Tools
Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils of plants, animals and microorganisms from prehistoric times. You will find paleontologists digging at sites across the world trying to unearth fossils that are hidden in mostly sedimentary rocks. |
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These scientists use many sophisticated techniques and methods to find out all the details pertaining to a discovered fossil -- age of the fossil, how did it die, where did it come from, which geological period did it live in etc. All this information is collated to tell us more about how evolution occurred on Earth.
Paleontologists' tools are numerous depending on the type of dig they are working in. However, the most common paleontologists' tools are pick axe, drills, shovels, brushes and chisels. If you visit a paleontological dig, you might end up seeing a paleontologist lying prostrate on the ground minutely studying a fossil by means of a magnifying glass.
At times paleontologists' tools are also dynamite and crow bars to uncover the fossil from the layers of rocks. It is only when a paleontologist reaches close to a fossil will other tools be deployed so as not to damage it. It is then that items like toothbrushes, brooms, paint brushes, and awls are used. Once the fossil can be extracted from its resting place, it is immediately taken to a museum or the paleontologist's laboratory where the fossil is cleaned of all the soil and other remnants of dirt, analyzed and then compared to the information already available at hand.
Of late, paleontologists are Geiger counters to find fossils as it is a known fact that uranium is often found in the fossils. In addition, ultraviolet cameras are also used since dinosaur fossils are known to glow in UV light.
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If you are looking for paleontology careers, then this is a must-read article for you. Paleontology is fun, exciting and extremely thrilling where you are responsible, as a paleontologist, to uncover information on how life evolved million of years ago. Mind you paleontology careers are hard work and you need to be well versed in other sciences too in order to be a good paleontologist. 