Course Outline

Goal

This seminar will be an introduction to preventive conservation as it applies to archaeological collections.

Description

Participants will learn to identify the possible risks to collections, determine when objects are indeed at risk, and recognize and control major risks such as active corrosion on metals, mold and other pests, and the human element. Visual inspections and monitoring RH will be discussed, along with storage environments for archaeological objects, and package and support materials for collections. Conditions unique to archaeology materials, such as contamination from burial environments and potentially hazardous degradation of materials in storage, will also be covered.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• assess risks associated with collections
• implement simple, preventive conservation techniques
• consider appropriate factors when rehabilitating a site
• recognize post-excavation deterioration of materials

Target Audience

Archaeologists, students of archaeology, and collections managers who deal with archaeological collections