• much data not recorded in the written historical record
  can often be revealed through the use of analytical
  techniques. In addition, the selection of an appropriate
  treatment takes into account many factors, including: the
  condition of an object or group of objects (assemblage),
  research objectives, significance, future use and the advant-
  ages and disadvantages of various treatments available.
  It does not consist, therefore, of the application of stand-
  ard processes or ‘recipes’ for the indiscriminate chemical
  ‘stabilization’ of specific materials. Instead, archaeolo-
  gical conservation involves continuous complex decision
  making in consultation with other team members, and is
  likely to be based on the following issues:
  
  
  • the effects of the burial environment and context
    (types of deterioration);
  
  
  • general condition (such as fragility, active corrosion);
  
  
  • significance, according to site research objectives
    (comparisons with material from similar sites);
  
  
  • potential dating (such as the identification of coins,
    clay pipes, or ceramics);
  
  
  • potential evidence of applied surfaces (signs of use,
    wear and tear; original surface treatments; preserved
    organics and methods of manufacture);
  
  
  
  

A

rchaeological finds are irreplaceable and contain

valuable information that may contribute to know-

ledge and understanding of the past. Materials

are likely to have survived only by reaching a physical and

chemical ‘equilibrium’ with the surrounding context or burial

environment, and waterlogged objects are particularly

vulnerable to loss if not properly looked after. The removal

of finds from their burial environment is likely to speed

up processes of corrosion and decay, sometimes radically,

potentially leading to destruction of archaeological evidence.

Properly planned and applied ‘first-aid’ procedures (the

care for finds prior to full conservation treatment) are

therefore often crucial. Factors affecting decomposition or

corrosion of archaeological materials in underwater burial

environments vary extensively. This chapter is aimed, in

particular, at those likely to work closely with archaeological

finds. Thus the content focuses primarily on planning pro-

cedures, storage methods, equipment and supplies, rather

than the history of materials technology and manufacture,

which is complex and has been well described elsewhere.

Archaeological conservation is based on a sound

understanding of materials science and the way in

which materials deteriorate in the burial environment.

An overriding principle is that of information retrieval

Contents

u Underwater burial environments

u Materials degradation and post-excavation

Deterioration

u Principal risks to finds during and after

recovery

u Principles and procedures for first-aid

for underwater finds

u Lifting, handling and transportation

u Approaches to packing and storage

u Sampling and analysis

u Initial cleaning

u Holding and pre-conservation treatment

solutions

u Record-keeping

u X-radiography and facilities

u Health and safety

u Insurance

u Checklists

Archaeological Conservation

and First-Aid for Finds

16

Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice Second Edition Edited by Amanda Bowens

© 2009 Nautical Archaeological Society ISBN: 978-1-405-17592-0