ANTHROPOLOGY 605
Conservation of Archaeological Resources I
Fall Semester 2010

Instructor: Donny L. Hamilton
Phone 845-6355 or 845-5242
E-mail: dlhamilton@tamu.edu

Office Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM T&Th or by appointment, Anthropology Building, Room 234AA

LEARNING OUTCOME: This course introduces students to the techniques of stabilizing and preserving deteriorated or corroded artifacts from archaeological sites. Proper conservation techniques are introduced in seminar/laboratory sessions designed to familiarize students with the chemicals, equipment, and procedures used in the treatments. Practical experience will be gained in treating organic and siliceous materials, and the various metals commonly found in prehistoric and historic sites. By the end of the course, each student will be able to conserve the basic material encountered in most archaeological sites and know to equip a basic conservation laboratory with equipment, expendables and chemical.

It must be remembered that the Conservation Research Laboratory (CRL) is a working laboratory. Therefore, all class and laboratory work is expected to be performed between 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Work in CRL outside of class hours is not encouraged!

The latest version of the syllabus and various readings for the class will be posted on-line, and as a pdf version . The links to the readings and conservation bibliography will be posted on the web and can be accessed by clicking on the links in the on-line syllabus. The index page for the primary conservation manual for this class can be found at: http://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/conservationmanual/ .

Basic textbook for the class is:

Hamilton, Donny L., 2010. Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Site. On line conservation manual at: http://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/conservationmanual/

Also downloadable as a PDF at this URL.

Supplementary Readings:

Cronyn, J. M. 1990. The Elements of Archaeological Conservation. London: Routledge.

Hamilton, L. Donny. 1976. Conservation of Metal Objects from Underwater Sites: A Study in Methods . Dissertation Book.

Hamilton, L. Donny. 1997. Basic Methods of Conserving Underwater Archaeological Material Culture . Book prepared in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Additional Readings , other than those listed above will be assigned on a weekly basis.

Other useful conservation links can be found at:

Conservation on Line -- http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/

In process of moving to: http://cool.conservation-us.org/

American Institute of Conservation: http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=999
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training - http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/
Periodic Table - Elements - http://www.webelements.com/

Safety Information.

Hard copies of most of the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemical used in the conservation laboratory are kept on file in Room 101A. Links to Internet sites with posted MSD sheets can be found at: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/

The MSD sheets posted by the University of Vermont is a good basic site. - Each student is expected to know how to access the MSD sheets.

http://hazard.com/msds/

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE  (Subject to Change)

Most Weeks the Lecture Class will be on Tuesday and the Laboratory Class on Thursday.

WEEK 1: (Aug 31) - Introduction to laboratory, Chemical Safety, Laboratory Tour.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) FOR MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS USED IN THIS LAB MAY BE ACCESSED AT: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/

General Safety Index: http://www2.hazard.com/msds/index.php

Readings: UNESCO book, Chapter A. Basic equipment and processes by H.W.M. Hodges .

 Cronyn, chpt. 1, Introducing Archaeological Conservation; ch. 2, Agents of deterioration and preservation; ch. 3, General Techniques of Conservation; and Conservation Manual FILE 1 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File1.htm .

WEEK 1: (Sep. 2) - Adhesives & Consolidants.

Readings: Conservation Manual FILE 2 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File2.htm ; UNESCO, 1968 : Appendix: p. 305-331; Curt Moyer , The Duco Dialogues; Stephen Koob , Using Acryloid B-72 for the Repair of Archaeological Ceramics; SPNHC Leafltets , Vol. 1, No. 2; Adhesives and Consolidants in Geological and Paleontological Conservation: A Wall Chart.

Thurs. - Begin Adhesive-Consolidants lab. Make Paraloid Glue and mix consolidants.

WEEK 2: (Sept. 7-9) - Bone & Ivory

Readings: Cronyn ch. 6, pp. 238-245, pp. 275-284; and Bone Section in Conservation Manual FILE 3 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File3.htm .

WEEK 3: (Sept. 14-16) - Wood

Readings: Cronyn ch. 6, pp. 246-263; CCI Journal on Wood ; and Wood Section in Conservation Manual FILE 6 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File6.htm .

Archaeological Preservation Research Laboratory WEB Pages:

Silicone Oil in Organic Conservation (CRL):

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/Report3/silicone.htm

Index to APRL Reports:
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/index.shtml

Silicone and Polymer Technologies: An Additional Tool in Conservation
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report01.htm

Re-treatment of PEG Treated Waterlogged Wood

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report02.htm

Re-Treatment of a PEG Treated Composite Artifact - A Sabot

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report03.htm

WEEK 4: (Sept. 21-Sept 23) - Wood (cont.)

Readings: Watson, 1982 , pp. 237-242; Conservation of Waterlogged Wood, National Museum of Denmark - http://www.natmus.dk/cons/x/ww/ww1.htm

WEEK 5: (Sep;t 28-29) - Leather

Readings: Cronyn ch. 6, pp. 263-274; (P&W, Ch. I, Animal Skins and Skin Products); Omar, McCord & Daniels , The Conservation of bog bodies by freeze drying, in Studies in Conservation, V. 34, No. 3, pp. 101-109; and Leather Section in Conservation Manual FILE 7 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File7.htm .

WEB Pages:

Guidelines for the care of waterlogged archaeological leather

http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/guidelines/leather.html

Conservation Research Laboratory (CRL) Leather Dressing

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report10.htm

WEEK 6: (Oct. 5-7) - Textiles, Rope, & Misc. Organic Material

Readings: Cronyn ch. 6, pp. 284-295; and Textile Section in Conservation Manual FILE 8 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File8.htm .

WEB Pages:

Silicone and Polymer Technologies: An Additional Tool in Conservation

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report01.htm

Silicone Oil: A New Technique for Preserving Waterlogged Rope

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report05.htm

Conservation of 17th Century Canvas Using Silicone Oils

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report06.htm

Silicone Bulking of Waterlogged Cork Using PS340, PS341 and PS343 Silicone Oils

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report07.htm

Conservation of Waterlogged Corn Cobs Using Silicone Oils

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report08.htm

WEEK 7: (Oct. 12-14) - Glass, Pottery & Stone 

Readings: Cronyn chpt. 4; Barov , The Reconstruction of a Greek Vase, in Studies in Conservation, V. 33, No. 4, pp. 165-176; Olive & Pearson 1975 :63-68; Mibach 1975 ; and Ceramic and Glass Section in Conservation Manual FILE 4 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File4.htm and FILE 5 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File5.htm .

WEB Pages:

Conservation of Devitrified Glass with Methylhydrocyclosiloxanes and Silicone Oils

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/aprl/report15.htm

WEEK 8: (Oct.19-21) - First Exam, Thursday, October 21; over non-metals conservation

Readings: Cronyn ch. 5, pp. 160-20; and Metal Conservation: Preliminary Steps, and Iron Conservation Part I: Introduction and Equipment Sections in Conservation Manual FILE 9 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File9.htm and FILE 10a http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File10a.htm

Thurs. - Start iron conservation: Mechanical, Chemical Cleaning

WEEK 9: (Oct. 26-28) - Iron, Electrolytic Cleaning

Readings: Iron Section in Conservation Manual FILE 10b http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File10special.htm ; Tannic Acid by Logan, CCI, 9/5 ; An improved tannin-based corrosion inhibitor-coating system for ferrous artifacts by Worth Carlin and Donald H. Keith , IJNA, 25.1:38-45

Conservation of Iron and their Consequences , National Museum of Denmark - http://www.natmus.dk/cons/x/metal/m1.htm

WEEK 10: (Nov. 2-4) - Iron, Electrolytic Cleaning, continued

Readings: Iron Section in Conservation Manual FILE 10b http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File10special.htm ; Tannic Acid by Logan, CCI, 9/5 ; An improved tannin-based corrosion inhibitor-coating system for ferrous artifacts by Worth Carlin and Donald H. Keith , IJNA, 25.1:38-45

Conservation of Iron and their Consequences , National Museum of Denmark - http://www.natmus.dk/cons/x/metal/m1.htm

WEEK 11: (Nov. 9-11) - Copper, Bronze, Brass

Readings: Non-Ferrous Metals and Cupreous Metal Sections in Conservation Manual FILE 11 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File11.htm and FILE 12 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File12.htm ; Cronyn ch. 5, pp. 213-230; Weisser , pp. 105-108; A bronze cannon from La Belle, 1686: its construction, conservation and display, by Donald H. Keith and Worth Carlin , IJNA, 26.2: 144-158

WEEK 12: (Nov. 16-18) - Lead, Tin and Pewter

Readings: Lead, Tin and Lead Alloys Section in Conservation Manual FILE 14 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File14.htm ; Cronyn ch. 5, pp. 201-213; Lane 1979 ; On the treatment of pewter plates from the wreck of La Belle, 1686 by Worth Carlin and Donald H. Keith , IJNA, 26.1: 65-74.

WEEK 13: (Nov 23) - Silver and Gold; Composite Artifacts.

 Nov. 25-26 - Thursday-Friday, Thanksgiving Holiday

Readings: Silver and Gold Sections in Conservation Manual FILE 13 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File13.htm and FILE 15 http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File15.htm ;Cronyn chpt 5, pp. 230-237; MacLeod & North 1979 ; Scott, 1983 ;

WEEK 14: (Nov. 30 - Dec. 2) - Modern Metals, Composite Artifacts.  

Ceramic Restoration Exercise due Dec. 2, 2010

 Finish all projects, leave projects at your desk for grading, clean up laboratory. Last class day!

Week 15: Dec 7, Laboratory Exam 2 over metal conservation.

            Alternatively, Exam may be give at the scheduled time for Final Examinations, on Dec. 14, 2010, 3:55-5:10 PM

Copies of all readings will be on reserve in the Nautical Archaeology Library and CRL.

Laboratory Exam Two, Tuesday, December 7, 2010  over metals conservation

BASIS FOR DETERMINING GRADE IN ANTHROPOLOGY 605

Each student's grade will be based on:

1. Class attendance, participation in class discussions and laboratory activities. Excessive absences (more than two un-excused absences) may result in a lower grade

2. Pop exams over assigned readings (5% of total grade)

(If no pop exams given, 50% exams, 50% lab reports and ceramic project.)

3. Two exams (50% of total grade, 25% each exam) Second exam to be taken on the day and time designated for the final for this time period. Note, no early exams will be given.

 4. Two lab reports (40- 45 % of total grade, 20-22.5% each) and 10% ceramic restoration project             

Each report will emphasize the student's own laboratory experiences as well as pertinent observations and comparisons garnered from lectures, published data and assigned readings. Each report should be as succinct as possible. Each report will follow a prescribed format and will have no more than 15 pages of text, not counting figures, tables and samples.

Report I: Conservation of Organic Material (emphasis on wood and leather) - due by Friday, October 29, 5:00PM

    Report II: Conservation of Metal, (emphasis on iron, brass, lead), due by Friday, Dec. 10, 5:00PM

    Ceramic Restoration Exercise, to be presented by Thursday, Dec. 2, in class

NOTE!! - TREATED SAMPLES ARE TO BE INCLUDED WITH EACH REPORT --NO EXCEPTIONS and NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LATE REPORTS ARE NOT APPRECIATED AND WILL BE GRADED ACCORDINGLY. NOTE: NO INCOMPLETES (I) WILL BE GIVEN IN THIS COURSE. FAILURE TO COMPLETE ALL THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS BY THE END OF THE SEMESTER WILL RESULT, AT THE OPTION OF THE INSTRUCTOR, IN AN "F" OR THE EXISTING AVERAGE OF THE WORK COMPLETED.

Attendance Policy and Grading Scale Examples

Attendance Policy:

“The University views class attendance as the responsibility of an individual student. Attendance is essential to complete the course successfully. University rules related to excused and unexcused absences are located on-line at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07."

Example Grading Scales:

Standard Letter Grading Scale: 

A = 90-100     B = 80-89      C = 70-79       D = 60-69       F = <60