Emanya is a partnership between fossil preparator Alison Park and palaeontologist Oliver Weeks based in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Hello
My name is Alison Park, I am a fossil preparator and conservator from Namibia. Since early 2021, my aim was to become a fossil preparator, after great deal of research I started volunteering as a fossil preparator at Iziko South African Museums in a yearlong program.
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In June of 2023 I moved to the United Kingdom to become the preparator for Neo Jurassica and the Yorkshire Natural History Museum. Due to a change in circumstances I decided to set up my own preparation business with colleague Oliver Weeks - Emanya Fossil Preparation and Conservation.
Why Fossils?
I have always wanted to work in an animal related field, and worked as an Appaloosa Stud manager for almost three years. During a big colic scare after a long drought, and the death of 3 horses, I no longer wanted to work in such a high stress environment. Fossils allow me to still spend time with animals, learn something new every day.
Hi
And I'm Oliver Weeks, palaeontologist and conservator from the UK. In 2016 I made my childhood dream a reality starting a MSci degree in Palaeontology and Evolution at the University of Bristol.
After graduating in 2020, I kept up with a couple of research projects and volunteering at the Yorkshire Natural History Museum in my spare time until in 2023 becoming the curator at the museum and technician at Neo Jurassica.
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I have some experience with fossil preparation but Alison is much better so I leave that to her - I manage the behind-the-scenes for now.
