7 CONCLUSIONS

This method was relatively inexpensive; it had minimum health and safety risks (ethanol and acetone are less toxic than toluene); it could be performed quickly; and it appears to have produced a very satisfactory result on the assemblage of glass to which it was applied, some of which was badly deteriorated. The method can be used where only basic chemical supplies and simple equipment are available. Under some circumstances, this method could be applied on-site: doing so would overcome the problems of interim wet storage and obviate the need for postexcavation conservation prior to study, recording, and storage. It is of course necessary to ensure that long-term conservation on-site is undertaken with proper care rather than in haste as though it were an interim measure. The need to conduct preliminary tests and to exercise caution before applying a novel procedure is emphasized.