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Wet collection masterclass to be live streamed
This Friday at 6pm, Heritage Malta will be livestreaming a masterclass about the Wet Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, on Facebook. The masterclass will be delivered by none other than the curator of the museum, Stephanie Sammut.
What exactly is a wet collection, we hear you ask? Well, in natural history museums, collections are broadly divided into two categories, according to their mode of preservation, either wet or dry.
The masterclass will therefore cover several aspects in terms of the preparation of fluid preserved specimens, also popularly known as wet or embalmed specimens.
Photo: Heritage Malta
Photo: Heritage Malta
Fluid preservation essentially refers to the use of chemicals in liquid form, in which natural specimens are submerged, with the aim of it being kept in good condition for an indefinite period. By means of this form of preservation, it is also ensured that the entire specimen is retained.
The most common specimens that are conserved in fluid are biological specimens. These refer to aquatic invertebrates, for instance, such as molluscs and crustaceans, as well as reptiles, amphibians and fish. Some insects, plants, mammals and birds may also be preserved in fluid.
In a nutshell, an overview of several of the procedures involved in the technique will be given in the masterclass, including specimen preparation, fixation documentation and preservation, as well as conservation.
For more information, check out Heritage Malta here.
