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The Foundation: Achieving Clean Bones
Before any assembly can begin, the bones must be completely free of soft tissue. This foundational step is crucial for longevity and aesthetics. Several methods exist, each with its pros and cons. Water maceration involves soaking the specimen in water, allowing bacteria to naturally break down tissues. It’s effective but can be slow and produce strong odors. Enzymatic maceration uses specific chemicals to speed up decomposition, requiring careful handling and temperature control. Another popular method, particularly for smaller, delicate creatures, involves using dermestid beetles. These insects meticulously consume dried flesh, leaving behind clean bone. This requires maintaining a healthy beetle colony and ensuring the specimen is appropriately dried beforehand. Regardless of the method, the goal is pristine bone, free from grease and tissue remnants. Degreasing is a non-negotiable follow-up step. Bones are naturally fatty, and this grease can leach out over time, causing discoloration and attracting pests. Soaking the cleaned bones in a degreasing solution, often a mixture of clear ammonia and water or specialized solvents, draws out these oils. This process can take weeks or even months for larger or particularly greasy specimens, demanding patience but ensuring a stable final product.Articulation: The Art of Reconstruction
Articulation is where the puzzle truly comes together. It’s the process of reassembling the cleaned and degreased bones into a lifelike or chosen pose. This requires a good understanding of anatomy or excellent reference materials. Each bone must be carefully positioned and connected to its neighbours. Think of it as intricate model building, but with the original parts. Small holes are often drilled discreetly into the bones, allowing wires or pins to be inserted, forming the connections. Glue, typically a reversible adhesive like PVA or specialized archival glues, is used to secure joints and smaller elements. The choice of wire gauge and glue type depends on the size and weight of the bones being connected. The pose itself can range from a standard anatomical representation, often seen in museum collections, to more dynamic or artistic postures. An anatomically correct pose showcases the animal’s natural structure, while a dynamic pose might depict movement – a bird in flight, a predator stalking. This choice significantly impacts the final piece’s narrative and aesthetic appeal. Supporting structures, like custom-made metal armatures or clear acrylic rods, might be necessary to hold the skeleton securely in the desired pose, especially for larger or dynamically positioned specimens.Challenges in Assembly
Putting a skeleton back together isn’t without its hurdles. Missing bones are a common issue, especially with found specimens. Sometimes, gaps must be accepted, or missing elements sculpted or sourced from incomplete skeletons of the same species. Delicate structures, like the tiny bones of the inner ear or the fine ribs of small mammals, require exceptionally gentle handling and specialized tools. Cartilage, which often connects ribs to the sternum or forms parts of joints, doesn’t typically preserve well during standard cleaning. Articulators often use epoxy putty, silicone, or other materials to replicate these cartilaginous connections, adding another layer of detail and complexity.Preservation: Ensuring Longevity
Once articulated, the skeleton needs protection to last. While properly cleaned and degreased bone is quite stable, it’s still porous and susceptible to environmental factors. Dust, humidity fluctuations, and UV light can degrade bone over time. Applying a protective sealant is a common step. Archival-quality consolidants or sealants, like Paraloid B-72 dissolved in acetone, can penetrate the bone surface, strengthening it and providing a barrier against moisture and dust without adding significant gloss or altering the appearance drastically.It is crucial to ensure bones are completely dry before sealing. Sealing damp bone can trap moisture inside, leading to potential degradation or mold growth beneath the sealant layer. Always allow ample drying time in a low-humidity environment after cleaning, degreasing, and any washing steps before applying protective coatings.Environmental control is just as important as surface treatments. Displaying skeletons in areas with stable humidity (ideally moderate, avoiding extremes) and minimal direct sunlight exposure helps prevent cracking, warping, or discoloration. Enclosed displays, like glass domes or display cases, offer excellent protection against dust and physical damage while also helping to buffer against rapid environmental changes.
Displaying Skeletal Art
The final presentation transforms the articulated skeleton from a biological specimen into a piece of natural history art. The display method should complement the skeleton and the chosen pose. Options are varied:- Simple Bases: Polished wood, stone, or simple painted bases provide a stable platform without distracting from the skeleton itself.
- Enclosed Displays: Glass domes (cloches) or acrylic cases offer protection and create a focused viewing experience, ideal for smaller or more delicate pieces.
- Habitat Dioramas: Incorporating elements of the animal’s natural environment (preserved foliage, substrate) can add context and narrative depth.
- Wall Mounts: Securely mounting skeletons, particularly flatter specimens like fish or snakes, or skulls, can create striking wall art.
- Suspended Displays: Hanging articulated skeletons, like birds or bats, can simulate natural movement like flight.
