Hidden Treasures Below: The Enigmatic World of 11 Million Embalmed Specimens at The Field Museum's Basement

Delving Into The Fascinating World of Wet Collections

From peculiar Bonnet head sharks to majestic Bigel Komodo dragons, there's more than meets the eye at The Field Museum in Chicago. Tucked away in its basement lies a treasure trove of over 11 million fluid specimens, each carefully preserved in jars. But why keep them all, and why must they be kept wet? Imagine this vast collection as a grand library, where each jar holds valuable knowledge waiting to be explored. These wet specimens offer a unique glimpse into the diversity of life, enabling researchers to study live species without having an actual zoo in their laboratories.

The Preservation Process: An Art of Science

The journey of these specimens begins with meticulous acquisition and preparation. The museum receives its specimens through donations or carefully planned euthanization during research expeditions. The preparation process is a delicate dance, ensuring the specimens are preserved for future generations. One of the essential steps in this process is DNA extraction. While DNA analysis has become a standard practice in modern research, it wasn't until the 1990s that scientists started incorporating it into specimen preservation. With expert precision, researchers collect DNA samples from the inside of the preserved animals, keeping their external appearance intact.

The Embalming Ritual: A Marvel of Preservation

Much like embalming a body at a funeral home, the formalin step is vital to preserving the tissues and maintaining the specimen's lifelike appearance. After sanitizing the collected DNA samples, they are carefully soaked in formalin, fixing the tissue in place. It is a process that requires both skill and foresight, considering what information might be useful not just today but in the future. Researchers consider various factors, such as the specimen's sex, during this preparation phase. For example, male snakes have a unique feature – visible penises – which is best preserved for scientific studies. Once prepared, the specimens are carefully coiled or posed, becoming permanent residents of jars in the museum's collection.

A Spectacle of Preservation: Alien-Like Specimens

The field of preservation offers many possibilities, including rendering specimens almost alien-like in appearance. Delicate species, like small fish with intricate bones, undergo a unique process called clearing and staining. Dyes are used to make the cartilage and bones visible, creating ethereal-looking specimens reminiscent of science fiction movies. The journey doesn't end there. These alien-like specimens are stored in glycerin, preserving them for researchers to examine the bones and cartilage under microscopes. Entirely new species have been discovered using this method, unlocking previously unknown secrets of our natural world.

A Library of Discovery: Hidden Gems Await

The shelves of the wet collection are like a vast library, each jar carrying its unique story. Scientists keep detailed records, noting when and where each specimen was collected, to ensure easy retrieval when needed. Carefully organized and cataloged, these treasures are precious resources for researchers seeking to explore the wonders of our planet. Jars may sit untouched for years, but a curious mind can change everything. Researchers crack open these sealed worlds, unveiling the untold tales within. Decades-old specimens have led to the discovery of new species, proving that every jar is a gateway to endless possibilities in scientific exploration.

So, as these millions of embalmed specimens continue to rest in the basement of The Field Museum, they remind us of the vastness and complexity of our natural world. Preserved in time, they whisper secrets of the past and open doors to the future. One can't help but wonder what extraordinary discoveries lie within these jars, waiting for a curious mind to unlock their mysteries, forever preserving their legacy in the annals of science.