Regardless of type, all mollusk shells should be collected using a standardized stratigraphic sampling strategy. Utilizing this type of strategy avoids the problem of ignoring the collection of smaller shells, an issue that can result from hand-picking. Once samples are collected, they must be sent to a laboratory to be air-dried. A standard weight is then collected for each sample. Each standardized sample is then placed in a plastic bowl (labeled with stratigraphic information) and covered with hot water. Shells float to the top and are skimmed off into a set of sieves, which separate the shells by size. After shells are removed from the soil, the soil should be covered in a solution of 70% hot water and 30% hydrogen peroxide. Once the mixture fizzes, it is passed through a set of sieves. Both the soil and shells are then placed in the drying oven. After cooling, shells are fully prepared for analysis and can be extracted from the sieves.