The West Runton fossil elephant: A pre‐conservation evaluation of its condition, chemistry and burial environment

Abstract

The state of preservation, future stability and research potential of an important fossil find from the Pleistocene (the West Runton fossil elephant) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis and ‘experimental ageing’ techniques. Results of these analyses indicate that although pyritic minerals are present in the fossil material, the bones are stable when stored in appropriate environmental conditions and that treatment for pyrite decay is unnecessary and undesirable. This finding, in part, reflects the geochemistry of the deposits in which the fossil elephant were found. In general the fossil skeletal material was found to be well preserved albeit structurally weakened by loss of collagen. In line with current thinking on the treatment and handling of sub‐fossil bones, consolidation should be restricted to vulnerable or badly fragmented areas. A limited pilot study of suitable cleaning procedures for the fossil material was undertaken and suggested that localised airabrasion did not disfigure the surfaces of the skeletal material.

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