> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tmdinosaurcenter.org/staff/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tmdinosaurcenter.org/staff/dig-programs/3-hour-program/how-to-recognize-bone.md). # How to Recognize Bone ## How to recognize bone * ### “The four S’s” * * Shape * * Fossilized dinosaur remains will have the shape of vertebrate bones * * i.e., a fossilized rib of a Maiasaura is going to look somewhat similar to the ribs of other live vertebrates * Shade * * The remains change in color depending on the minerals in the environment they are fossilizing in * * Out in the Two Medicine Formation, these remains will generally be brownish-maroon to gray in color, depending on how long the fossil has been exposed to the surface * * If it has been exposed on the surface for a long period of time, the fossil might have more of a gray and orange tint * Striation * * This is bone texture * On the inside of the bone, one can see the cancellous or “spongy” bone * * These are the preserved spots where the capillaries would run through * Stick * * Due to the porous nature of fossilized bones, as well as how fossilized bones like to soak up fluids, these bones will often stick to moist surfaces * Example - if one licks their thumb then presses the presumed fossil to said thumb, it should stick (if it is a fossilized bone) * ### Taphonomy * * Bones have been found in this area with possible preserved scavenging marks * Being exposed on the surface for long periods of time (tens to hundreds or thousands of years), the bones can have a lot of wear and tear * * Chemical weathering * * Bones might have acid wearing on them * PICTURE * Mechanical weathering * * Over time the bones may have broken into more than one piece, there might be fragments missing * Ice wedging occurs * * Water makes its way into the bone, freezes and expands, and causes the bone to fracture in a wedge pattern * Plants love to use the bones as a sort of mineral life pack, burrowing their roots into the bones to soak up the minerals the bones have been fossilized with * * This can pulverize the fossil remains --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.tmdinosaurcenter.org/staff/dig-programs/3-hour-program/how-to-recognize-bone.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.