CONSERVATION-RESTORATION APPLIED TO A FOSSIL ADHERED TO A SPELEOTHEM (MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE) FROM POSTES CAVE (FUENTES DE LEÓN, SPAIN)

Abstract

The conservation-restoration methodology used on most Middle Pleistocene layers from the Postes Cave site fossils is minimal intervention. The fossils from Stratigraphic Unit Pleistocene 1 layer are covered by a 0,3 m-thick speleothem around the bones. This work describes four restoration treatments applied to one of the fossils from this layer since its discovery, to reverse fossil deterioration and/or total or partial loss. To extract the bone it was necessary to hit the speleothem and fracture it, damaging and breaking the fossil into small fragments. These treatments consisted in the application of a bandage in situ, removal of the bandage, cleaning, consolidation and reconstruction in the research laboratory. We have recovered and stabilized the fossil so we can take, touch and move them to carry out a taxonomic study. These studies have resulted in the identification of the fossil as an Ursus arctos tibia.