Archaeology Underwater: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice

ARCHAEOLOGICALCONSERVATION ANDFIRST-AID FORFINDS 161

• inert polythene containers or glass tubes for sam-
  pling (check with specialists);


• ‘tree tubing mesh’ (available from garden centres);


• garden pump-sprays (made of polypropylene or
  polythene);


• Melinex (fine polyester sheeting, often available
  in different thicknesses and useful for a variety of
  purposes);


• strops for lifting, together with pads of inert foam
  cushioning (e.g. polyether foam);


• watering cans (plastic), hoses, hose fittings and
  reels for topping up storage water;


• waste bins or dustbins;


• small step-ladders;


• inert plastic storage tanks and bins (lidded, with
  drainage taps/plugs where possible);


• lidded polythene containers and trays for wet
  storage;


• clean (new) flat rigid baking trays (useful for
  lifting);


• plastic drainpipes, halved along their length, for
  supporting long objects;


• torches (with spare batteries) for viewing objects
  in storage containers and bins;


• glassware (beakers and measuring cylinders);


• large magnifying or examination lenses (or stereo-
  microscope on extendable arm);


• thermometer(s);


• cameras, photographic scales, ‘back-drop materials’
  and associated equipment;


• glass tanks and smaller glass containers (for finds
  photography and they are useful in the examination
  of finds);


• heat-sealer (budget permitting) for making up
  plastic tubing or bags;


• laminator (useful for waterproofing signs for bins,
  storage bays, notices, etc.);


• archival stationery, including field record books,
  registers, exit/entry books, pens, registration cards,
  printouts and monitoring records for use in every-
  day work;


• computers, software and printers for registration
  records, as required.

Packing materials to avoid include:

• plastic or glass food containers, unless thoroughly
  washed and rinsed;


• polystyrene ‘worms’ (used in household packing),
  which may contain chemicals that can leach into
  objects or packaging;


• household string, which may rot in wet conditions;


• aluminium trays, which may bend when laden with
  water and/or cause reactions in finds;

Figure 16.8 This tiny pocket sundial with integrated com-

pass was found on the wreck of the Kennemerland (1664).

Its extraction from concretion was a triumph of the con-

servator’s skill and patience – even the painted cardboard

compass card was intact. (Colin Martin)