TheBoneman.com
Bone Building Books
Step-by-Step Guides for the Preparation and Articulation of Animal Skeletons
By Lee Post (a.k.a. Boneman)
Digital PDF Bone Building Books
Step-by-Step Guides for the Preparation and Articulation of Animal Skeletons
By Lee Post (a.k.a. Boneman)
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Articulations of a Porpoise Skeleton, Vol. 1, PDF
PDF-Book-$39
Articulation of a Porpoise Skeleton (Digital PDF)
This manual provides step-by-step instruction for preparing and
articulating a small cetacean skeletons.
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It is based on the articulation of a harbor porpoise skeleton but is directly applicable to any whale or dolphin under 10 feet in length.
It includes:
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Complete step-by-step preparation and articulation guidance
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A full set of harbor porpoise skeleton illustrations
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Methods suitable for smaller cetacean projects. PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
The Sperm Whale Engieering Manual, Vol. 2, PDF
PDF-Book--$39
Sperm Whale Engineering (Digital PDF)
This manual documents the engineering required to assemble and suspend very large whale skeletons, including sperm whales.
It is based on the engineering used to assemble and suspend a 41-foot sperm whale as a collaborative project between the Pratt Museum of Natural History and Homer High School in Homer, Alaska.
It includes:
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Engineering methods for articulating and suspending large whales
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Student illustrations of sperm whale bones
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Reproductions of some of the finest sperm whale bone illustrations available
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Additional details from several gray whale projects completed since the original sperm whale
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
The Whale Building Book, Vol. 3. PDF
PDF-Book--$39
The Whale Building Book
This manual provides guidance for preparing and articulating whale skeletons larger than a dolphin but smaller than the great whales.
It includes:
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Step-by-step instructions and practical tips
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Proven methods for articulating whales 10 to 25 feet in length
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Techniques drawn from the author’s 40 years of experience working with whale skeletons in this size range
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
Pinniped Projects, Vol. 4, PDF
PDF-Book--$39
Pinniped Projects: Seal & Sea Lion Skeleton Articulation (Digital PDF)
This manual provides step-by-step instruction for articulating pinniped skeletons, including seals and sea lions.
It includes:
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Clear, easy-to-follow articulation instructions
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Highly detailed illustrations, including flipper bones
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Techniques developed from multiple pinniped projects
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Methods successfully used with school groups
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
The Bird Building Book, Vol. 5
PDF-Book--$39
The Bird Building Book (Digital PDF)
This manual functions as two complementary guides in one volume.
Part One: Bird Skeleton Articulation
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Step-by-step instructions for preparing and articulating a large bird skeleton
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Includes guidance for very large birds (such as an emu)
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Illustrated primarily with an eagle skeleton
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Techniques apply to birds the size of—or larger than—a chicken or raven
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Well suited for classroom projects
Part Two: Bird Bone Identification
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Detailed guide to individual bird bones
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Extensive labeling to sort loose bones into skeletal elements
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Identifies which side of the bird each bone comes from
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Especially valuable for zooarchaeology students working with bird remains
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
The Moose Manual, Vol. 6
The Moose Manual - Large Hoofed Mammal Skeleton Articulation (Digital PDF)
This manual provides step-by-step instruction for articulating large hoofed, four-legged mammals.
Applicable species include:
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Moose
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Cow
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Horse
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Caribou
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Buffalo
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Deer
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Elk
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Wildebeest
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And other large hoofed mammals
The guide covers the full process, from cleaning the bones to displaying the finished skeleton, using steps that are clear and accessible—even for students.
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
PDF-Book--$39
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
Building Bear Bone, Vol. 7, PDF
PDF Book--$39
Bear Skeleton Articulation (Digital PDF)
This manual provides step-by-step instruction for articulating a bear skeleton—a project undertaken far less often, but one that presents unique and fascinating anatomical challenges.
Bear anatomy is notable for its similarity to human anatomy, particularly in the hands and feet. To avoid confusion, this manual includes comparative illustrations of bear versus human hands and feet.
It includes:
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Detailed illustrations of bear bones
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Complete coverage of carpals and tarsals
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Comparative bear vs. human hand and foot illustrations
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A proven step-by-step process once used by a grade school to create a museum-quality bear skeletal mount
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Canine Construction, Vol. 8, PDF
PDF Book--$39
Canine Construction - Canid Skeleton Articulation (Digital PDF)
Because canid skeleton projects are relatively easy to come by, this manual provides step-by-step instruction for what to do next.
The manual is based on the articulation of a wolf but applies to any canid, from a wild wolf to a no-longer-yapping poodle.
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It includes:
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Complete illustrated wolf skeleton
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Bone-by-bone detail of the foot bones
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Labeled parts and features of many bones for reference
PDF | $39
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After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
The Small Mammal Manual Manuscript, Vol. 9, PDF
PDF Book--$39
The Small Mammal Manual Manuscript - Skeleton Articulation (Digital PDF)
This manual covers techniques for articulating mammals smaller than a wolf, using a lynx as the primary example.
It includes detailed guidance—especially for the feet—drawn from commonly articulated small mammals, including:
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Lynx
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Raccoon
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Beaver
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Nutria
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Rabbit
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Opossum
The rabbit section has been expanded, and the sea otter has been removed. A brief overview of the oxidation method for preparing a ligamentary skeleton is also included. PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
Bone Builder's Notebook, Vol. 10, PDF
PDF Book--$39
​Bone Builder's Notebook (Digital PDF)
A companion reference to the Bone-Building Manuals, designed to answer the questions not covered in step-by-step articulation guides.
This manual covers:
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How to acquire and prepare bones
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Cleaning, degreasing, and whitening methods
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Tools and materials used for skeleton articulation
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Identifying and siding mammal bones
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Osteology vocabulary and reference resources
Whether you are a bone enthusiast or a museum professional, this book provides essential bone-working information that has long been difficult to find in print.
PDF | $39
*This manual does not include step-by-step instructional content.*
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After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Sample Pages
Also by Lee Post
Bone Guide To Selected Land Mammals, PDF
PDF Book--$39
The Bone Guide – Mammal Bone Identification (Digital PDF)
A visual reference guide featuring illustrations of the bones of 31 different land mammals.
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Created as a reference for zooarchaeology students
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Indispensable for identifying mammal bones
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Illustration-based reference (no step-by-step instruction)
PDF | $39
After purchase, you will receive an email with a download link.
Tap/Click to Open Pages
By Matt Crockett
Anatomy and Articulation of a Horse Skeleton
PDF Book (only)--$25
Horse Skeleton Articulation (Printable Digital Download)
This digital manual was created in 2016 by Matt Crockett after cleaning and articulating a full horse skeleton, using the methods shown in The Moose Manual.
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Step-by-step photographic and written instructions
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Detailed identification, placement, and siding of horse bones
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Includes horse-specific guidance not covered in the moose manual
The manual is offered as a downloadable eManual for $25.
$20 from each sale is donated to the Pratt Museum of Natural History.
62 pages | PDF
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After purchase, you’ll receive an email with a download link.