Pigma micron pens

In response to the comments on barrier layers used for the purpose
of applying catalogue numbers to objects, I would like to stress the
point that the collections for which I was referring are small
fragments. These archaeological materials are often only used for
research purposes. Barrier layers are usually applied by
well-meaning students who in some cases cover the entire object.
Alternatively over time the barrier layer peels off removing the
number. Such small fragments will never be found in a catalogue
which may contain 5,000 similar objects.

If I were working in a museum environment with complete objects I
too would apply a barrier layer. I feel that as conservators we need
to consider the purpose of the collection for which we are
conserving when making recommendations.

This is an issue for which Gillian Noseworthy and I have debated
over the past year and appreciate the debate which we have started
here. We hope it continues because I do not think we have come to
any conclusion. I would like to see a response from Scott Williams,
of CCI, (Canada) or Robert Waller, Museum of Nature (Canada) given
that I believe they have both dealt with this issue in terms of
natural history samples.

Cathy Mathias
Memorial University of Newfoundland


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:47
                 Distributed: Wednesday, March 29, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-47-005
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