Natural Science Forum / Biology / Paleontology / December 2005

I am a high school science teacher.  I recently acquired a white tail
deer carcass from a local hunter. I would like to use this carcass in
a fossil dig lab activity for my students. In the past I have done this

lab with a turkey carcass, which is very easy to prep.  However, now I
have something much bigger, and I am unsure of how to prep the bones
for the dig.  The carcass was butchered, but there is still some flesh
on the bones.  I have read that bleach solution will weaken the bones,
as will boiling. Since is is winter here, it is too cold for maggots or

other bugs to do the job.

Will soaking it in Biz laundry detergent or Hydrogen peroxide help to
remove the remaining flesh from the bone?

I am not opposed to boiling it, but I am having difficulty finding a
pot big enough to boil it in. Any suggestions how I can clean these
bones?

Thanks

Reply