Student Research

 

The Archaeological Preservation Research Laboratory (APRL) is a research laboratory within the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Department of Anthropology, which works closely with both the Anthropology Department and the TAMU Nautical Archaeology Program. Research at the APRL facilities has been directed towards the development of new processes for the stabilization and conservation of organic artifacts. In conjunction with Dow Corning Corporation, research at APRL has focused on the development of organo-silicone chemistry and polymers and their application in conserving organic archaeological artifacts. The driving forces of research at APRL are: 

1. to contribute new and alternative methods for the conservation of organic material culture 

2. to further develop the science of organo-silicone chemistry within industry, archaeology and the medical sciences 

3. to conduct interdisciplinary research at TAMU for the enrichment and development of advanced technologies 

 

 

Working in close association with the Conservation Research Laboratory and Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan, research has included the conservation of artifacts from numerous archaeological sites including: 

 

La Belle	Working in conjunction with the Texas Historical Commission, CRL and APRL conservators are conserving artifacts from the La Salle's ship, La Belle.
Port Royal	Artifacts from the 17th-century site of Port Royal, Jamaica, including waterlogged wood, glass, leather, canvas, basketry, seeds and bone have been conserved using a range of silicone oils and other polymers.
Tantura Lagoon	Several delicate artifacts including rope and fabric, dated to the time of Christ have been brought to CRL and APRL to be conserved  using these new technologies.
Uluburun	Small wooden tenons and a large number of small, very unstable glass beads, dated to 1300BC have been conserved at APRL. Polymer processing of glass and faience beads appears to produce better results than traditional methods of conservation.
Red River

       

RELATED LINKS

 

Texas A&M University	Conservation Research Laboratory (CRL)
TAMU College of Liberal Arts	INA Virtual Museum
TAMU Anthropology Department	Port Royal, Jamaica Project
TAMU Nautical Archaeology Program	Texas Historical Commission (THC)
Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA)	La Salle Shipwreck Project Research  (THC)
Nautical Archaeology at TAMU	CRL/APRL Sponsors

  

 

 

Contact Information: Archaeological Preservation Research Laboratory Anthropology Building Texas A&M University  College Station, Texas  77834-4352 Telephone: 979.845.6692 Fax: 979.845.6399 E-mail: silicone@tamu.edu APRL and CRL researchers are working on an extensive and diverse range of preservation research aimed at both archaeological, biological, pathological and industrial applications.  If you have questions related to the preservation of organic materials, we urge you to contact us.