ARCHAEOLOGICALCONSERVATION ANDFIRST-AID FORFINDS 157
- Some types of object, such as quantities of wood
or leather from specific contexts, may be stored
together in bins, by tying off within sections of
plastic ‘tree’ mesh tubing (available from garden
centres) secured at each end and suitably labelled. - Large objects can be stored in inert bins, drums, tanks
or vats, which should be made, ideally, of poly-
ethylene rather than polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or
metal. Tall containers tend to be difficult to access,
so long and low containers are preferable. Plugs or
taps fitted in the base of containers can facilitate the
replacement of storage water and are well worth
the extra cost. - Covering the top of storage water in tanks or bins
(e.g. using bubble-wrap or inert polythene sheeting)
may help to prevent the risk of freezing in winter,
or evaporation in summer. - Tanks or vats made of metal (e.g. used for the
storage of ship timbers) should be lined (e.g. using
polyethylene sheeting). All such lining materials
are likely to require replacement from time to time
due to potential weakening and/or the growth of
algae or slimes.
•Where in situpreservation has been decided upon,
such as for the storage of very large structural ele-
ments, then material might be returned to an envir-
onment simulated to be as close as possible to that
from which it was excavated. Methods for storing
large timbers might involve digging holes in the
ground or in the sea-bed, using a variety of liners.
However, storage in this way should be used only
on a temporary basis, and conservation advice
should be sought as necessary. - Visitor access should be arranged so that crucial work
is not interrupted, and should be limited to avoid
excessive light and humidity in the storage area. - Boxed small finds can be stored on shelving or
racking, which should be made of metal rather
than wood (thereby possibly helping to reduce
risks of fire or insect damage).
Sampling and Analysis
Conservators work closely with objects and are likely to
be able to help with identification and analysis. Methods
of retrieval and requirements for packing and storing
samples should be checked in advance with specialists.
In general:
- The holding time for samples, prior to analysis,
should be kept as short as possible (ideally no
longer than 24 – 48 hours) because prolonged stor-
age may affect the results obtained.- Optimum environmental conditions for short-
term storage should resemble the original burial con-
ditions as closely as possible (e.g. wet/damp/dark). - No water should be added to samples without first
checking with specialists. - The type of gloves to be worn, materials used,
methods for collecting samples and storage require-
ments should be checked in advance with the rele-
vant specialists. - Smoking, eating and drinking should not be per-
mitted in the vicinity of samples and/or artefacts due
to be sampled because this may cause contamina-
tion (tobacco smoke, for example, is likely to affect
radiocarbon dating results). - Samples for despatch should be packed according
to the requirements of customs authorities, airlines
and postage companies and the analytical specialists
awaiting receipt, particularly if samples are to be sent
abroad. The importance of making such arrange-
ments well in advance should not be underestimated,
and all such material should be clearly labelled.
- Optimum environmental conditions for short-
Initial Cleaning
Some initial cleaning may be necessary to remove macro-
organisms (e.g. shrimp, barnacles, and seaweeds) so as to
reduce the risk of biological decay during storage. If pos-
sible, all living organisms should be removed gently and
returned to their original environment. Further cleaning
may be necessary to remove sand and sediments and
should be undertaken gently, in a controlled manner,
using small water jets and soft brushes.- Any substantive cleaning should be undertaken
only as part of full conservation treatment because
the rigorous washing and/or cleaning of finds may
destroy evidence of remaining applied surfaces,
decoration or working marks. - The use of good lighting is essential. Illuminated
magnifiers are often helpful. - Tools used for cleaning should always be made of
something softer than the material to be cleaned (e.g.
wooden satay sticks for metals). - All cleaning and sampling procedures should be
recorded and passed on to the conservator(s)
undertaking treatment.
HOLDING AND PRE-CONSERVATION
TREATMENT SOLUTIONS
The addition of biocides and other chemicals to storage
water should be used only as a last resort and on the advice