Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with fossil

Who said "every fossil is a transitional fossil?"

Maastrictian — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:23:59 -0800

I'm looking for the origins and exact phrasing of the quote "every fossil is a transitional fossil." This is a very common quote used in discussions of evolutionary biology and creationism, but I have no idea who first said it, or even if I've got it right.

Looking for a Pocket-watch Keychain

2oh1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:58:02 -0800

Where can I find a pocket-watch keychain - like this? I bought this pocket-watch keychain four years ago at a Fossil outlet, and it died. I haven't been able to find it (or anything similar) anywhere - online or in a store. I feel silly paying $90 to fix a watch that cost me $25-ish originally.

How to clean a leather wallet?

destrius — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:51:08 -0800

Asking for friend: How do I clean a yellow Fossil leather wallet that is starting to turn brown from use? I have a leather wallet I purchased from Fossil a few months ago. It is a women's wallet, made of a soft leather that I assume has been dyed yellow. When I bought it, the yellow was a bright yellow, but after a few months of use, it's beginning to turn brown/grey from what I guess is dirt. It also seems to be picking up a bit of the colour from my jeans. Here's a link to a similar wallet.

When I used a normal leather cleaner on it, the colour changed from yellow to an orange-ish yellow, as if the yellow pigment was being washed away and the natural brown of the leather was showing through. That kind of scared me away from trying other kinds of leather cleaners. There aren't really many inconspicuous spots on the wallet to test on either.

Any suggestions on how I can return my wallet to its original clean colour, and also any regular maintenance tips?

Oh, yeah - it's mammoth , baby!

juliewhite — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:17:56 -0800

What is Paleobond, and can I get a MUCH cheaper substitute? What is this stuff:
http://www.paleobond.com/Products.htm

Specifically, what is the the "PENETRANT AND STABILIZER (PB002)", for use in an application like this:
FOSSIL IVORY REPAIR: We have considerable experience from the paleontology field and the knife making circles that the Penetrant and and Stabilizer (PB002) works wonders. When ivory looses its moisture, it shrinks, hence the cracking. The PB002 seals and bonds the fine openings and cracks and stabilizes the ivory. Just apply PB002 to the complete tooth or tusk and let it soak in.

Is there a substitute that does not cost an arm and a leg? Say, in a 30 gallon drum...

Fossil Hunting Day Trips in the DC metro area

Irontom — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:29:55 -0800

DC area fossil hunting day trip - I'm trying to set one up for several families with children between 5 and 9. We live in NoVA, but we're willing to drive a few hours if we have to. We'd like it to be cheap, and we would definitely like to be able to keep the things that we find. Does such a thing exist around here?

Fossil hunting daytrips around Vancouver

Kickstart70 — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 20:46:08 -0800

Where can I go for successful fossil hunting for a day-trip around the Vancouver (BC, Canada) area? And...are there relatively cheap fossil-hunting day-tours (with some instruction) in this area? In both cases, I want to keep what I find.

(If there is a fossil-hunting MeFite in the area that would like to participate, that would be most awesome as well)

Early attempts at fossil assembly?

R. Mutt — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 10:54:01 -0800

Is there a book or website that details early attempts to assemble fossilized bone into animals/dinosaur skeletons? I recently found an old print of a somewhat misassembled mammoth (?) skeleton/fossil. This lead to the thought that the history of fossiled skeleton reconstruction must be filled with false starts and honest mistakes (putting aside intentionally fabricated monkey-fish mermaids for the moment...). What I am looking for is a history or narrative of the attempt to reconstruct this unknown, from a position of limited knowledge. Any ideas? -Thanks

Where did you dig up that old fossil?

-harlequin- — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 19:47:31 -0800

Pint-size paleontology: Where in WA state (Seattle area), is a good place for an 8-year-old to be able to look for and (probably) find fossils? (And take some home) Mega bonus points for:
- Within an hour's drive of Seattle.
- A good chance of finding fossils that are recognisable as such, or large, or distinctive, (ie rather than indistinct specks).
- Within an hour's walk from the road
- No permission needed, or very straightforward/easy to get permission.
- Being allowed to take some home.
- Nice wilderness / nature area

Does such a place exist? Any recommendations?

Solar energy alternative

MrMulan — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 12:47:44 -0800

Why hasn't solar energy been able to replace fossil fuels in Europe where gas is taxed so heavily? Isn't the heavy tax over there in some ways like a subsidy for companies that produce solar panels? I'm beginning to think that even with the heavy taxes levied on gas, it's still not profitable to do R&D on solar panels. Even though once it started rolling, the panels would get smaller, cheaper, last longer, and hold more.

I live by a shop that sells some very impressive fossils. Should I get one?

magullo — Fri, 13 May 2005 09:13:42 -0800

I live by a shop that sells some very impressive fossils. Should I get one? I'm midly interested in paleontology; but in any event this place carries some spectacular specimens (in the realm of about a foot in legth or so). From articles and documentaries, I have a fairly appalling image of the business, where apparently private companies compete directly with scientists for the choiciest trophies. As much as I see this as a good chance to get my hands on something intriguing and beautiful, I have so far (for 5 years now) resisted temptation in fear of somehow contributing to an effort against scientific progress. The question is: am I right in being worried?