Some elephant bones are big and heavy while others can be small or long, and all have easily marked surfaces. They come in an array of amazing shapes; sweeping curves, knife-like edges or big knobbly ends - strangely beautiful seen on their own but definitely not convenient flat blocks to pack in a box!
A storage solution was needed that brought the twenty odd bones together, was safe, strong and secure but also compact, easily accessible and mobile if needed.
We started with a sealed wooden museum pallet specifically made for our mobile compactor storage. The largest bones were arranged on shaped polyethylene foam beds and strapped down.
- A second elevated layer supported by legs was added to the pallet for yet more large and heavy bones.
- Finally a third layer of the lightest bones completed the set.
- Each layer can be removed to access individual bones when needed.
They were picked up and laid to rest in their new home in a mobile compactor storage unit with a dust and light protective cover for long term storage.
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Post by: Craig CollierCraig Collier is a Collections Storage Technician working in Collections & Research at Auckland Museum.