I agree with Mike. Ammonia works very well even on the greasiest specimens such as marine mammals. Marine mammals such as dolphins and seals that I have done are the most problematic. I had read that small holes may be drilled into the individual bones to drain out the grease. But I avoided this as to not damage any features.
I used to place the greasy bones in plastic bags for storage in containers (we used cardboard boxes)- being in plastic also had the advantage of discouraging insect pest from being attracted to the grease.
--
Frank J. Dirrigl Jr., PhD
Asst. Professor Environmental Science
Dept. Biology
University of Texas Pan American
[log in to unmask]
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:40:41 -0400
From: "Michael A. Etnier" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] Greasy bones in collections
To: [log in to unmask]
i'm a big fan of using household ammonia to degrease bones, mixed to
anywhere from 10% to 50% with tap water.
soak for 48 hours in a warm location (75 deg F), then rinse.
for really greasy specimens, repeat the whole process once or twice.
effluent can safely (and legally) be run down the drain.
---mike
Michael A. Etnier, PhD
Applied Osteology
Bellingham, WA
www.appliedosteology.com
and
Department of Anthropology
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
http://faculty.washington.edu/metnier/
-------- Original Message --------
> From: "Umberto Albarella" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 4:07 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] Greasy bones in collections
>
> Dear Elaine,
>
> as far as I know diluted acetone should be harmless and is not smelly. It
takes
> a while though (weeks rather than days). I have also found useful to
drill the
> bone shafts as this facilitates the release of fat. For details ask Simon
Davis
> as he knows all about this.
>
> Cheers,
> U
>
>
> --
> Umberto Albarella
> Department of Archaeology
> University of Sheffield
> Northgate House
> West Street
> Sheffield S1 4ET
> United Kingdom
> Telephone: (+) 44 (0) 114 22 22 943
> Fax: (+) 44 (0) 114 27 22 563
> http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/staff/albarella.html
> For Archaeologists for Global Justice (AGJ) see:
> http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/global-justice.html
>
> "There is no way to peace. Peace IS the way".
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