A field guideline from the Sallam
Lab team for early-career researchers who want to unearth the past.
In Egypt’s vast deserts, a new
generation of researchers are moving from one fossil-rich site to another to reshape
vertebrate paleontology in the region. Having long been dominated by foreign
expeditions, local researchers are now making their mark across the Arab
region. However, they face persistent challenges, from developing skills, to
conducting fieldwork, and networking with the global community. So, what does
it take to become a successful paleontologist?
Nature Middle East spoke to the team behind Sallam Lab, Egypt’s first vertebrate
paleontology research group, founded by Hesham Sallam, a vertebrate
paleontologist at Mansoura University and the American University in Cairo
(AUC).
Alone with sand and bones
Vertebrate paleontology opens a window on to Earth’s natural history and provides an
essential framework for tracing the origins of life.
As well unearthing fossils, the
discipline involves analysing ancient environments, understanding the evolution
of organisms, and exploring the reasons behind their emergence and extinction.
It takes more than a university
degree to become a vertebrate paleontologist, Sallam says. A scientific
background, along with curiosity and critical thinking, is what shapes a
researcher equipped to carry on.
To Sallam, a good researcher upholds
scientific thinking, while maintaining a solid grasp of the fundamentals of
biology, comparative anatomy, and geology. “This forms the essential framework
for interpreting fossils and placing them in their evolutionary and
environmental context,” he adds.
Tough but Fun
Much of a vertebrate
paleontologist’s time is for desert fieldwork, where discoveries are the
outcome of careful preparation and planning. A discovery is made as a result of
meticulous, robust research. “We know where to look, and which rocks are likely
to contain valuable fossils,” says Sallam.
“Going to the desert is not a
picnic,” says Shorouk Al-Ashkar, a researcher at Sallam Lab. “It is a demanding
mission; advance planning is the cornerstone of fieldwork. This involves
meticulous preparations that include tents and tools that help us withstand the
desert’s blazing heat, in addition to research equipment such as brushes,
plaster, and documentation instruments.”
Al-Ashkar underscores the importance
of building a solid knowledge about the site to be excavated. A researcher
needs to be “well-informed about the site’s history, topography and geological
formation, besides preparing the maps and updated satellite imagery.”
Fieldwork is perhaps the most
exhausting part of the job, requiring a high level of adaptability to harsh
conditions. “But it’s worth it,” says Al-Ashkar. “The moment you uncover a fossil,
all the exhaustion fades away, and the fatigue turns into a surge of energy and
excitement.”
Nuanced process
Al-Ashkar explains, “the desert is
not the place for improvisation,” so the team members work together to preserve
specimens once uncovered. “No fossil is removed until it has been carefully
fixed using a special type of adhesive material suited to its structure,”
Al-Ashkar says. “And every specimen is documented using an identification label
including the exact location, the date of excavation, and an initial
description. A fossil without data holds no scientific value.”
After that, the specimen is jacketed
with a layer of plaster; a universally recognized method for ensuring fossil
safety during transport, especially across rough terrain. The jacketing process
is precise, including horizontal and then vertical carving around the specimen,
followed by securing it with layers of burlap before flipping and transporting
it.
The team document every step with
precision: from the instant a fossil is spotted, through extraction and
jacketing, all the way to its arrival in the laboratory.
Data is documented through
photographs, videos, and written observations, and is then archived both
digitally and physically, offering a reliable point of reference for revisiting
findings or planning future expeditions. The system keeps records of events in
chronological order and ensures transparency and robustness of the resulting
publications.
Credits: Hisham Sallab
Paleontologist’s toolkit
Success in vertebrate paleontology relies on
solid theory and field expertise, and fluency with cutting-edge digital tools.
“It is a field that requires constant learning,” Al-Ashkar says. “We use
advanced software, keep up with the latest research, and treat every day as an
opportunity to gain a new skill.”
Digital fluency now underpins
research quality, Al-Ashkar says. After scanning specimens with high-tech
radiology equipment, the team uses 3D visualization and analysis
software such as Amira and Avizo to convert slides into accurate models of
a fossil’s anatomy. And to examine evolutionary relationships and reconstruct
the fossil’s phylogenetic tree, a tool such as Mesquite is used to record
traits and compare them across species. Tools like TNT and MrBayes are then
used to create potential models for relationships between extinct organisms.
The team also relies on R, a
software for statistical analysis and generating charts that illustrate how
anatomical features are correlated to such variables as body size or ecosystem.
And when it’s time to create visuals, design tools like Photoshop and
Illustrator are indispensable.
Al-Ashkar urges young researchers to
master such tools early on, as they can elevate research quality, and boost the
paper’s chances of publication in prestigious, specialized journals.
Both Sallam and Al-Ashkar encourage
early-career researchers to read constantly and keep abreast of the latest
research. Al-Ashkar recommends reading Vertebrate Palaeontology, by Michael
Benton, which she calls an indispensable reference. She also advises keeping an
eye on the papers published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Facing reality
Passion may ignite a career, but
perseverance keeps it alive. Al-Ashkar recalls entering a male-dominated field
as a young researcher: “It wasn’t easy,” she says. “Yet, as colleagues saw the
results of my work, recognition followed.” Sallam points to an equally pressing
challenge: “We graduate world-class talent, but real jobs in this specialty are
scarce. Without sustained institutional backing, the discipline cannot thrive.”
Besides the social challenges, funding
remains a significant issue, especially when it comes to organizing
resource-intensive expeditions. That said, Sallam remains hopeful:
“Universities and funders are well aware of the value of paleontology in Egypt,
and international partnerships are on the rise.”
Where to start
If you aspire to unearth the next
great dinosaur discovery, start now. Build a solid foundation in biology,
anatomy, and geology. Master specialized scientific software and engage in
fieldwork whenever the opportunity arises. Seek mentors who believe in your potential
and be prepared to work hard long before the rewards appear. As Sallam puts it:
“Find what fires your curiosity, sharpen your skills and never stop learning.
We’re counting on you to carry the torch forward.”
This
article is translation from the Arabic version published on 9 July 2025