[Fantasywriter]

Is 'mummification' really what happened in this case?

"A well preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton had been found in 1990 and brought for analysis to Montana State University. During microscopic examination of the fossilized remains, it was noted that some portions of the long bones had not mineralized, but were in fact original bone. Upon closer examination it was noted that within the vascular system of this bone were what appeared to be red blood cells (note retained nucleus in the center of the apparent RBCs and the fact that reptiles and bird generally retain the RBC nucleus while mammals, like humans, do not). 50 Of course, this did not seem possible since the survival of intact red blood cells for some 65-million years seems very unlikely if not downright impossible."

http://www.detectingdesign.com/fossilrecord.html

[BroJoeK]

Fantasywriter: "Is 'mummification' really what happened in this case? "

definitions of mummification:

• 1. To make into a mummy by embalming and drying.
  
• 2. To cause to shrivel and dry up.
• v.intr. To shrivel or dry up like a mummy.

So there's no other word for it.

"Schweitzer did the opposite of what most paleontologists do with their specimens.
Instead of preserving and protecting it, she destroyed it by soaking it in a weak acid.
If the entire fossil had been made of rock, it would have dissolved completely.

But in the terms used in Schweitzer's paper -- co-authored by Jennifer L. Whittmeyer, John R. Horner and Jan K. Toporski -- the acid demineralized the specimen.
After seven days, the demineralization process revealed several unexpected tissues..."

The mummified material was soaked for seven days to bring it back, so to speak, to life.