Course on identification of osseous and keratinous materials

Picking over the Bones and Tinkling the Ivories:
Identification of Osseous and Keratinous Materials

A two day course organised by the ICON Ethnography Group with
Glasgow Museums
25-26 March 2009

The course will be led by Dr Sonia O'Connor, Research Fellow in
Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford, with
contributions from Colin Williamson, plastics consultant and a
founding member of the Plastics Historical Society, and Pat Allen,
Curator of World Art at Glasgow Museums. The workshop will be held
at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre on the south side of Glasgow.

Encompassing theoretical and practical sessions, alongside
opportunities for discussion, the materials covered will include
ivories, bone, antler, horn, baleen, tortoiseshell. Some materials
used in imitation of these, which are prone to misidentification,
will be included.

The structure, properties and decay of both osseous and keratinous
materials in a variety of environments will be introduced.
Characteristic features of each material will be described and a
methodology given for their identification using non-destructive
techniques. A practical session will provide the opportunity to
identify selected groups of objects, with photomicrographs and a
reference collection being available to aid this study. Sonia will
also give a presentation on the conservation and storage of
archaeological objects made of osseous and keratinous materials.

Participants have the opportunity to bring objects (or photographs
of objects) to the workshop for discussion.

The cost of the 2 day workshop is UKP210, includes materials,
handouts, coffee, tea and lunches. Handouts relating to the
presentations will be provided along with a bibliography for further
reading.

Payment must be made prior to the course. 14 places are available. A
limited number of student places are available at the reduced cost
of UKP160. Please send proof of status with your registration form.
Registration forms can be downloaded from

    <URL:http://www.icon.org.uk/>

or via email from Arianna Bernucci
<abernucci<-at->thebritishmuseum<.>ac<.>uk>

Completed registration forms should be sent to Arianna Bernucci
<abernucci<-at->thebritishmuseum<.>ac<.>uk> or mailed to:

    Attn: Arianna Bernucci
    The British Museum
    Organics Conservation
    38-56 Orsman Road
    London N1 5QJ

Places can only be allocated with completed registration forms and
full payment of the course.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:38
                Distributed: Saturday, January 10, 2009
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