Projectile points

The Fort Collins Museum received a donation from a collector of
stone projectile points. This collection includes objects that were
never studied from the anthropological point of view, and had been
displayed by the author of the collection in wood frames with hard
paper backs and a glass on the front. The paper backs have
hand-written notes with information about the objects (covering
different parameters in a inconsistent way: location, material,
number of collection). It is also noticeable that the stone tools
were carefully arranged in patterns. (note: the projectile points
are glued to the paper back with an old brittle yellowed glue, that
hasn't been affecting the stability of the objects due to the nature
of their material--stone).

It is the opinion of some experts that the whole collection should
be reorganized, in a more logical way, in opposition to the
aesthetic. But on the other hand, the information available is
incomplete (since the context is not archaeological), and
reorganizing these objects would be erasing a part of their history.

I wanted to know if anyone has ever dealt with this problem, and
what was your option? or what would be your option anyway?

Ines Silva
Conservation student


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 13:42
                Distributed: Wednesday, February 2, 2000
                       Message Id: cdl-13-42-027
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