Unrolling a lead scroll

I am working as site conservator on an archaeological dig in Turkey
where a small lead object was excavated last week. It is a strip of
thin lead, rolled up and squashed flat during burial. It measures
about 2x2 cm and is about 4mm thick. The director of the dig thinks
it is possible that there are Hittite hieroglyphs scored into the
lead on the inner surface and would like for it to be unrolled.

The lead is brittle and corroded and unrolling/folding in it's
current state is impossible without causing it to break. I have
considered electrolytic reduction to convert the crust of lead
carbonate back to metallic lead and heating the lead to soften it
before attempting to unroll it. I am just not sure whether the metal
can withstand such invasive treatment. I would be interested to hear
whether anyone has carried out similar treatments and has any
advice.

Lucy Skinner
Archaeological Site Conservator
Kaman Kalehoyuk
Kaman,
Turkey

1 Sep 2011
From: Victoria Juhlin <victoria.juhlin<-a t->ub< . >ntnu< . >no>
Query:  Documenting inhouse loans

Our Special Collections department has always registered reading
room loans on single sheets of paper--a printout of the catalogue
post in question. Upon arrival, the researcher signs the slip with
his/her name, and once s/he is done s/he will again sign the slip
and the slip is archived in a box. If the researcher returns to
study the item again (which happens frequently) the same slip will
be brought out for re-signing. It's impractical, unsafe, costly and
environmentally unfriendly.

I've been informed that for legal reasons the slip must be signed by
the researcher every time s/he asks to see the item, which I guess
would rule out the use of an electronic loans card.  I am interested
in finding out how other institutions handle the dilemma of
registering reading rooms loans without having to use paper.

Victoria Juhlin
Rare Books conservator
Gunnerus Library
Trondheim, Norway


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:14
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 13, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-14-014
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