Fossil preparation

The crocodile preserved in these rocks lived in Australia 95 million years ago. Its only known relative is in Patagonia. At the time, Australia, South America and Antarctica formed a gigantic continent known as Gondwanaland.

Kerry uses a saw to cut away the top layers of rock, then carefully exposes the bones with a miniature jackhammer. Goggles and air filter are essential safety items.

This partly completed section shows the tool marks in the rock, with the fossilised bones being revealed.

This closeup shows how the rock is set in a bed of wax so that fine details (like this crocodile's scale) don't break away when the rock is removed.