ANTH 605

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Conservation of Archaeological Materials I

Christopher Dostal
Assistant Professor

Course Description

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. The emphasis will be on the basic conservation processes successfully used on the most commonly encountered artifacts recovered from archaeological sites.

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 4:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additional time needed in the lab can be organized with Dr. Dostal or his graduate assistant.

Course Prerequisites

Graduate Classification or Instructor Approval

Textbook and/or Resource Materials

Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites by Donny L. Hamilton
The Elements of Archaeological Conservation by J.M. Cronyn

Additional readings will be provided as .PDF files by the instructor. Cronyn is reserved for this course at Evans Library and the NAP library.

Basis for Evaluation (Grading Policies):

Exams (2) – 25% each
Organic Material Conservation Report -20%
Metal Material Conservation Report -20%
Ceramic Restoration Project – 10%

Grading Scale
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F

Examinations:

Each exam is worth 25% of your final grade. The date of the final exam is set by the university. No early exams will be administered.
Exam 1: Week 10
Exam 2: Week 15

Lab Reports

The first report will cover the conservation techniques used for non-metallic materials, and the second report will cover metallic materials. Each report should emphasize the student’s own laboratory experiences as well as pertinent observations and comparisons of methods garnered from lectures and readings.

For each material conserved, you should address how it deteriorates, treatment options and their respective strengths, and your observations from the lab work.

It is essential that you take prolific notes and photos throughout the semester of everything you do and observe in order to produce an adequate report. Each report should be succinct, clear, and very well-edited. Be sure to cite your sources in-text, with page numbers, and include a bibliography. All figures and tables should be labelled and mentioned in text.

Note – Treated samples MUST be included with each report, no exceptions or excuses. A report is not considered submitted until all of the associated samples are submitted with it. Late reports will lose a letter grade per day.

All reports must be printed out in 12pt Times New Roman font. Reports should follow the formatting guidelines of the OGAPS Thesis manual.

Ceramic Reconstruction

During the semester, each student will decorate, destroy, and reconstruct a terracotta flower pot, which is worth 10% of your grade. The pots will be evaluated on both technical proficiency and the overall finished aesthetic.

Laboratory Policies

Be safe – appropriate PPE must be worn at all time, no exceptions. Failure to comply will result in removal from lab.
Be informed – you cannot reason with a chemical burn or hazardous exposure; you MUST be informed on the chemicals and materials you will be using before you use them.
Be clean – A clean lab space minimizes risks to health, safety, and prevents accidental damage to the artifacts. If you use something, clean it and put it back where it belongs when you are done. My assistant can help direct you to where things belong. Your work station should be spotless when you are not actively working.
Be organized – Every procedure you follow should be fully delineated before you begin, and you should then carefully follow that procedure. All materials and containers needed for the procedure must be collected before starting any work. All procedures must be approved by me before you begin.

No eating or drinking are allowed in the lab on lab days (Thursdays). Liquids in a closed container are permitted on lecture days (Tuesdays). Closed toed-shoes and long pants are mandatory for lab days.

ALL COURSES

Policies and Statements

Full list of Policies and Statements TAMU
Students Rules

Course Schedule:

(The schedule is a subject to change, revisions, and refinements which will be posted)

		Readings:
Week 1	Introduction, CRL History, campus lab tour, safety overview Tour of the CRL (RELLIS)
Week 2	Adhesives & Consolidants lecture Adhesives & Consolidants Lab	Ashley-Smith, J. et al. (1992) Science for Conservators Vol. 3: Adhesives and Coatings. P. 49-57; 67-89. Routledge Publishing, London. Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 11-14.
Week 3	Bone & Ivory Bone & Ivory Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 15-16. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 238-245; 275-282. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 4	Wood Wood Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 22-29. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 246-263. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 5	Wood (con’t) Wood Lab II	Historic England (2010) Waterlogged Wood: Guidelines on the Recording, Sampling, Conservation, and Curation of Waterlogged Wood. McCawley, J. (1977) Waterlogged Artifacts: The Challenge to Conservation. Journal of the Canadian Conservation Institute. Vol. 2 pp 17-26.
Week 6	Leather Leather Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 30-33. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 263-274. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 7	Textiles, Rope, & Misc Organics Textiles, Rope, & Misc Organics Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 34-37. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 284-295. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 8	no classes Graduate student conservation talks
Week 9	Glass, Pottery, & Stone Paper Conservation with Jeanne Goodman and the Pottery Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 18-22. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 102-159. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 10	Exam Review Exam 1 – Non Metal Artifacts (REPORT 1 DUE)
Week 11	Introduction to Metals Iron, & Electrolytic Cleaning Iron Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 38-72. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 160-202. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 12	Copper, Brass, Bronze Copper, Brass, & Bronze Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 73-77. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 213-230. Routledge Publishing, London. Keith, D. et al. (1997). A Bronze Cannon from La Belle: Its Construction, Conservation, and Display. IJNA Vol. 26 No. 2. Pp. 144-158. Weisser, T. (1987). The use of sodium carbonate as a pre-treatment for difficult-to-stabilize bronzes. In Recent advances in the conservation and analysis of artifacts. London: Summer Schools Press. 105–8.
Week 13	Lead, Tin, Pewter Lead, Tin, Pewter Lab	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 85-87. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 201-213. Routledge Publishing, London.
Week 14	Silver, Gold, Composite Artifacts, Modern Metals Lab Cleanup & Exam Review. Note: Exam review begins after lab is clean.	Hamilton, D. (1999) Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. P. 78-84, 88. Cronyn, J. (1990). Elements of Archaeological Conservation. P. 230-237. Routledge Publishing, London. Scott, D. (1983) The Deterioration of Gold Alloys and Some Aspects of Their Conservation. Studies in Conservation Vol. 28 No. 4. Pp 194-203. MacLeod, I and North, N. (1979) Conservation of Corroded Silver. Studies in Conservation Vol. 24 No. 4. Pp 165-170.
Week 15	Final Week of Classes Exam 2 - Report 2 Due, Ceramic Reconstruction Due