Fossil prep: Rare baby plesiosaur fossil discovered!

A while back I found this bone cluster and managed to carry it home. I started off prepping it with my air scribes and removed a fair bit of rock. Unfortunately, there wasn't good separation between the rock and the fossil - it was really "sticky" - so I did the final bit of prep using some vinegar to dissolve the rock. The acid prep took around 2 weeks.
I sent photos of the bones to a paleontologist specializing in marine reptiles from the Cretaceous era of New Zealand and he ID'd it as a juvenile plesiosaurus, probably and elasmosaurus. According to him, it's only the third bones of this type of elasmosaurus found in New Zealand so a pretty rare find!
Thanks to everyone commenting and supporting me, especially my patreons! I really appreciate it!
Patreon for 20+ extra videos: / mamlambo
Instagram: / mamlambofossils
TikTok: / mamlambofossils
Website: mamlambofossils...
Postal address:
Morne Mamlambo
PO Box 78018
7648
New Zealand
#discovery #rare #dinosaur

[@taleandclawrock2606]

To have a curiosity so intense that you focus hundreds of hours of mind numbing detailed repetitive work to reveal these incredible pieces of history to us, im just so impressed and grateful, thankyou!

[@MamlamboFossils]

It's pretty fun, I listen to podcasts / music / audio books etc 😂

[@taleandclawrock2606]

I'm still loving your vids and following your increasing skills and expert knowledge. ❤

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Lots of hard work compressed into a video for us to enjoy! Great work! Great find! Thanks for posting your adventures!

[@MamlamboFossils]

About 6 hours of video editing as well! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@impunitythebagpuss]

I love watching your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@billrobbins5874]

Really cool find. Just HAD to watch again! Thanks for sharing.

[@소나무-f1y]

그것이 몇억년 된거요?

[@jonathanallison2247]

Definitely impressive work from start to finish, finding fossils, researching what you’ve got, prepping and stabilizing. Great job!

[@scotttrent9348]

Truly amazing that you have an eye for finding such special pieces. That bone cluster looks great. Keep the videos coming they are awsome.

[@alexandermelchers1497]

Great to see how you did the prep on this, very instructional. And, again, an awesome specimen! Very lucky find! :D

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much Alexander 😀

[@wendyharper2154]

Hi M, it must be amazing to have in your hands such an interesting window into the far distant past. Love watching you do a prep and seeing the final outcome. Your input to advancing our knowledge of this era is important thank you. Cheers Wendy (.waves across the ditch)

[@roddydurst6108]

Please keep the preps coming they are so awesome. Great job.

[@michellericard4850]

I love your prepping videos. It's cool to watch it slowly appear as you get the concretion off

[@MamlamboFossils]

Glad you're enjoying it Michelle!

[@sarejen6868]

Thais always fascinating to watch what is exposed in the prep, the possibility of finding even more than what you originally saw on the exterior. Do you hunt through the debris you've removed from the preps to find the micro fossils?

[@MamlamboFossils]

I've kept the chips to see if I can one day get the microfossils out of them. I'm not sure what the best way to get them out of the hard rock is yet.

[@Corntassels]

This was so rewarding to watch! I appreciate being able to see what you went through in the prep and all the information you shared about it. What a find :)

[@jakegillum]

These prep videos are always fun. I keep hoping for you to post a show and tell of all your favorite finds.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I did do a top ten fossil video at the end of last year - I might have to do one for this year as well :)

[@lindalewis5066]

I love watching the preps. It's like watching someone slowly open their present & you're dieing to see what's inside! This turned out really great! What a nice find! And how nice of you to donate some of your best finds to museums or universities to study. Good editing on the video. 👍❤️

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much Linda!!

[@sandmaker]

Wowza, dide. That's amazing. It looks like that air scribe is just the ticket. Keep your eyes to the ground and your heart in the sky. Thanks for sharing your amazing find. Be happy, safe and stay healthy.😷⚒

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Sand Maker!! Yeah, that new air scribe is great!

[@conorcrowley6256]

Wow you're really an artist with this stuff, am never not amazed by the work here.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Conor!

[@billrobbins5874]

Awesome find. Will you go back to see if you can find anymore of it? Did this one take more prep time than the BIG crab? 🦕🦀

[@kimk8365]

Your channel is one of the most interesting to have come up in my news feed in the past few days. I'm loving this, wish there was a place to search where I live. I guess I'll have to do some research on that.

[@danmorin8735]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video, very cool and awesome! Keep them coming! Greetings from Canada!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Dan! I'll keep prepping 😀

[@MamlamboFossils]

b72 paraloid, I use acid if the rock is sticking to the bone rather than scraping it from the bone

[@julesgosnell9791]

Fascinating - I hope that you are going back to look for the skull !

[@philiphinkle4280]

great work.. hope you let us know if they decide to study it and what they find.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I definitely will!

[@grayhaven451]

That's pretty amazing my friend. Congratulations.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Mickey!

[@alink5918]

How exciting and amazing! Congratulations on a rare great find! I always enjoy your preps great job!💙

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!

[@khamullordoftheeastelings390]

That is soooo cool!. Also I see that you are approaching the 50k mark ;)

[@schnaps1790]

realy love the prepping videos please make more of them if possible :)

[@MamlamboFossils]

I will, they just take quite a bit of time to do 😀

[@ashleyjones7375]

Doing some brilliant work prepping this. Hope u find more especially the skull.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I hope so too! Thanks!

[@ainatsmass3875]

As a subscriber you are the best youtuber and this video is a banger nice one.

[@joannedevilliers6448]

Love videos. Great job and patience at uncovering what the past has left us.

[@jaynehorn151]

Good grief! How many hours/weeks did this take? Is it your way of getting out of chores?

[@MamlamboFossils]

It took about 3 weeks 😀

[@campbellmcgrannachan3859]

Ooooooo another prep video LEETTTSSSSS GOOOOOOOOO

[@TheFullStar]

That is a big prep!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahah it was! It took about 3 weeks!

[@peopleddiagram2920]

An absolutely amazing find. Great clip!!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!

[@campbellmcgrannachan3859]

Absolutely love the videos

[@Magnetsnorkel]

This is so satisfying to watch 👍🏻 keep up the good work

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!

[@aserta]

Very cool, weeks worth of chipping came paid off, excellent work my dude! :)

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks aserta!

[@maludums322]

Elasmosaurus was my favorite when I was a kid

[@MamlamboFossils]

I love elasmosaurus as well! One of my favourite fossils I've found.

[@lizzymoore54]

Wonderful prep for a fantastic find! ☺️

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Lizzy!!

[@ktlivingherway516]

This is awesome, so much work. There is a youtube called "Gambling on Stones", about Jade. You do that with Fossil rocks, don't know until you reveal it.

[@TheYorkshireFossilHunter]

absolutely brilliant mate well done

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!!

[@gojirazillasaurus6341]

you need more subs dude this is an amazing find!?!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!! 😀

[@bobm5500]

Well dun , Ok now you to find the skull . that prep would be a fantastic to watch !

[@pockettt]

Wow that's an amazing find, great prep too 👍

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!!

[@rockersfromaz3001]

I died laughing at 32 seconds in! 😂😂😂 that was funny! That isn’t heavy is it!? 😂😂😂

[@paulr6922]

Well found mate. You know your stuff.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Paul!

[@americanrebel413]

I really love watching the prep videos. Awesome video my friend thank you. PS. What happened to this piece if anything?

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate! It's packed away till someone from a museum comes to visit again

[@raygrange7312]

Great find and prep. Well done👍

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Ray!

[@oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!!

[@KarenUntz]

No notification on this vid! Just found it. Best find so far!!!

[@Paleos1000]

Another fascinating find. Talking of skulls . . .? Oh and do you mind if I pm you re the make of scribe your using?

[@MamlamboFossils]

Of course not! You can email me as well [e-mail]

[@valiantwarrior4517]

Nice work, sir. You seem to really know what you’re doing.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I'm still learning!!

[@ayhanuslu9019]

Cok teşekkür ederim üstadım cok güzel bir çalışma geçmişte ne yaşandı oldugu gibi kalmış parcalara şahit olmak ve geçmişi anlamaya çalışmak ve cok zekice çözümler bulmak ne muhteşem ❤

[@ShaighJosephson]

I'm getting sucked into seeing what you discover... Very interesting... 🙂

[@MamlamboFossils]

Yay!!! Down the fossil rabbit hole you go 😂

[@gojirazillasaurus6341]

NO WAY that’s insane!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much!

[@JG-mp5nb]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!

[@Panzerkita61]

So amazing, 80 million years old, absolutely mind blowing. What do you think about when the bones come out of the rock from the intricate work you do? Thank you and have a great week ✌🏻😎

[@MamlamboFossils]

80 million years old! Most of the time I listen to music or a PODcast and kinda go into auto pilot :)

[@Panzerkita61]

@@MamlamboFossils I will change it to 80 million :)

[@MotoLego]

Always incredible finds!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Moto!!

[@jamestaylor6041]

very cool dude , please keep us updated , nice find big thumbs up

[@TheOldladyB]

Amazing find.

[@natanahelchamery3521]

Wow

[@Papag53]

With great appreciation

[@DarkMoonDroid]

18,000,000 years old. Dude. 🎃🧡🤯

[@MamlamboFossils]

80 000 000 years old 😀

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

Awesome find!

[@kirktingblad6667]

Fantastic!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!!

[@patrickmaster7207]

Subscriber from the Philippines

[@joshuajackson6442]

Thank you for your hard work

[@MamlamboFossils]

My pleasure!

[@TheFossilFiend]

Great video, you really need a stronger scribe!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Yeah, I'm looking at getting a bigger one

[@Ontario_Rockhound]

Awesome video, what a very cool find!

[@alansdorsetfossils4028]

Nice one... I don't doubt that you will be looking for more of it in the close vicinity. There is a reasonable change that more is lying nearby as it looked to be emerging from the sea washed bank?

[@MamlamboFossils]

The rock was quite rounded so I think it tumbled down the river for quite a distance

[@Atomcrusher]

Are you gonna do some acid prepping in the future

[@liamcarey335]

awesome mate! love your work!

[@infantryattacks]

Awesome vid! Good hunting!!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Michael!

[@EmbraceTheJourney]

this one was fantastic. Hope you can find the skull in the areas where you found this

[@dawheele1]

Could you turn up your volume? Hard to hear the verbiage in the bid.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Ill try make it louder 😃

[@haemhorrhoidian]

Once again awesome content :-)

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!

[@salvagemonster3612]

What kid from the 70’s doesn’t Love Nessie? Cool

[@MamlamboFossils]

And 80s!

[@mc5574]

Have you ever thought about buying a X-ray scanner? This would allow you to remove large part of rock without the risk of damaging a fossils.

[@GoliathAngelus]

Wow!!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks!

[@AngrySockZa]

Nice vid. You are South African yes? Are you finding these fossils in SA or are you abroad?

[@divineisanutshell6352]

Watching this fst video on 2 x speed is so satisfying

[@josephcormier5974]

Awesome always like to watch prep. I wonder if they gave live berth or egg?Two thumbs

[@MrJudder413]

Love your videos. We have dinosaur footprints where I live massachusetts, United States but nothing like what you have there. Awesome video!

[@dixietenbroeck8717]

That poor baby _REALLY_ got squashed - ouch! Oh, well, *we all have to "go," sometime & somehow.* 👋

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahahah it did!!

[@paynestuta]

Dreams do come true!

[@billmc4673]

WOW MATE 👏!..WHAT A SUPERB FIND ..😊

[@vernsrocksstuff5989]

Awesome video

[@chova1000]

Nice work!!!!

[@cptnkaos5994]

Amazing specimens

[@joannhempen8210]

Love!

[@iamjaychase1]

So amazing

[@Steph-sk3xb]

What do you think about the fossil they found in Australia of this animal just at the end of the last year? It fully intact

[@MamlamboFossils]

It's so amazing!!! It looks very, very complete!

[@jfirebaugh]

The first crack you stabilized with glue seemed to expand a bit. Does the glue expand as it cures?

[@MamlamboFossils]

The glue is pretty stable, it doesn't expand in my experience. It might have been the acid.

[@janetedens]

That is awesome!

[@37han.c9]

Cant wait

[@SpeeedyHunteeerrrrr]

nice one dudee

[@MamlamboFossils]

Glad you liked it!!

[@jorrit.f]

What would happen if you put a crab in an acid bath? Would you be able to see more?

[@MamlamboFossils]

It would dissolve, calcium carbonate doesn't do well with the acid

[@joej2409]

hi there what is it you use to keep the bone safe why working.. every now and then your brush something onto the bone ...what is it you use... thanks

[@MamlamboFossils]

It's called B72 paraloid, like a plastic in solution that can be removed when you're done!

[@WightFossilTours]

Wow great finds 💪🤩

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you 😁

[@dawheele1]

The size of the fossil could be evidence for being egg hatched?

[@phillipdavis3705]

Have a question, I know this is older post, but carving all that rock, is it calming or tedious? Great find.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Its pretty calming. I listen to podcasts, audio books or just music

[@ianvital8834]

Man imagne if the skull is just around near where you found it

[@zioncardman18]

Does your bone agatize like the stuff we find in the states? I do lapidary work and work with cabbing Dino bone.

[@MamlamboFossils]

It does get agatized from time to time, looks really pretty!

[@kieranmccullough7385]

If I wanted to go about staining a fossil to make it darker and stand out more against the matrix, what would I use?