Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/17/2007 - 19:55
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Kuril Islands Biocomplexity

How was organizing specimens? About how much time did you spend on each specimen that you got from the Kuril Islands? What specimen stood out the most? Why?

Sun, 10/28/2007 - 05:55

Misty Nikula

ClaraIn many ways, I enjoyed organized the samples at the museum.  I am a very organized person and I enjoy finding ways to make systems that help organize lots of information and materials.  And I felt comfortable enough with what we were trying to accomplish and with my team members that I could easily make suggestions about how we might do something.  I was very pleased when they thought that I had good ideas and that they helped make the work faster and easier.
We probably spent an average of 2-3 minutes on each specimen, I would guess.  Some we spent a lot longer than that and many we didn't spend very much time on at all.  Once they were in the bag - they haven't been looked at again since.  Not until someone gets them out at the lab to do further identification on them. 
I'd have to say that there were several of the bone and stone tools that were pretty neat.  To imagine the work it took for someone to chip away these tiny little points and make them look so delicate! Some were very beautiful.
Hope you are having a good school year!Ms Nikula