Cleaning pre-Columbian ceramics

I'm preparing some small (3 to 7 inch) pre-Columbian ceramic figures
for a display. Some people refer to them as "flats". I was wondering
what would be the best way to clean them. They're in good shape with
no repair work and fairly clean already. There is, however, some
mud/dirt residue still on them possibly from their entombment.
They are earthenware terra-cotta, some with clay slip decorations.

Cotton swabs, Q-tips and water?

Jerry Fahey
Exhibits Designer
S.I.U.E University Museum
Edwardsville, IL


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:55
                 Distributed: Friday, February 8, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-15-55-019
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