Re: paleonet 'Exceptional' preservation?

["Nikolaus Malchus" <n.malchus@xxxxxxx>]

Hey Joe,

> So, the question is, just how exceptional is 'exceptional' preservation? 
> >From what we've seen (particularly with the sponges, which need to be 
> effectively buried alive to be preserved), these deposits are actually 
> almost the norm -.......

I do not think, anybody can give a fit-all general definition to
'exceptional preservation' and less so to grade the 'exceptions'. Actually,
I think it is superfluous because the definition would change with each
discovery of something exceptional. 

As 'exceptional' is a relational term like higher, slower, abundant, it only
makes sense if you compare it with something in particular. Its up to you to
explain why and in which respect you think its exceptional, e.g.

- exceptional because one can spot details that are normally destroyed in
fossil members of this group

- exceptional because the type of preservation is unusual (or unique) for
the Ordovician or exceptional only within the site (apparently not the case
here), 

- exceptional because this preservation is very unusual for this type of
environment or the preservation type as such is very rarely found (or never
described)

- or any combination of the above, or any other comparisons you may think of
(and which make sense).


Hope this is of use.

Cheers,

Niko 

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