Leaf compressions from the Late Miocene sections of NW Italy: research on an efficient, easy and quick consolidation treatment

Abstract

Compressions of fossil leaves on marl blocks soaked with water are tricky palaeobotanic findings to deal with. In fact, this peculiarity makes the findings exposed to serious degradation: the evaporation of water causes shrinkage of the matrix and the leaf leading to fragmentation, delamination and exfoliation of the fossil, until its final disappearance. The aim of this research was to identify a consolidation method which satisfies museum needs and can be utilised for all conditions of hydration of the object. Following a survey of several natural science museums in Northern Italy, Paraloid™ B72 and PEG4000 along with other resins never previously used on this kind of fossil were tested. At the end of the research, two products gave adequate or good results, preserving the leaf from further degradation whatever the hydration condition of the object: the acrylic resin Paraloid™ B72 and a polyurethane resin.