According to the American Institute for Conservation, “Conservation encompasses all those actions taken toward the long-term preservation of cultural heritage. Activities include examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care, supported by research and education.” As archaeological artifact conservators, our focus is to ensure that the treatments we apply to artifacts in our care lead to their long-term stability using the original material, not to restore artifacts so that they look and function as if new.
The AIC Code of Ethics describes the duties of a conservator, including:
- Respect for Integrity of Object: All professional actions of the conservator are governed by unswerving respect for the aesthetic, historic and physical integrity of the object. The preservation of the diagnostic attributes of the object being conserved is of utmost importance in selecting a conservation treatment.
- Competence and Facilities: It is the conservator’s responsibility to undertake the investigation or treatment of an historic or artistic work only within the limits of his professional competence and facilities.
- Single Standard: With every historic or artistic work he undertakes to conserve, regardless of his opinion of its value or quality, the conservator should adhere to the highest and most exacting standard of treatment.
- Suitability of Treatment: No treatment should be used that is not in the best interest of the object.
- Principle of Reversibility: Avoid the use of materials which may become so intractable that their future removal could endanger the physical safety of the objects. He also should avoid the use of techniques, the results of which cannot be undone if that should become desirable.
- Aesthetic Reintegration: In compensating for damage or loss, a conservator may supply little or much restoration, according to a firm previous understanding with the owner or custodian and the artist, if living.
- Continued Self-Education: Remain abreast of current knowledge in his field and to continue to develop his skills so that he may give the best treatment circumstances permit.
- Auxiliary Personnel: Protect and preserve the historic and artistic works under his care at all times by supervising and regulating the work of all auxiliary personnel, trainees and volunteers under his professional direction.
Underwater Archaeology & Conservation
Conservation holds a particularly important place in the field of underwater archaeology. Salts, moisture, and oxygen are the three primary forces behind artifact degradation, and so artifacts recovered from a saltwater environment are often in much worse condition than similar artifacts recovered from a terrestrial site.
Salts become embedded in metal, ceramic, and glass artifacts and if not removed and allowed to dry out, they will continue to degrade and may break in such a way they cannot be repaired.
The longer an organic artifact is in water, the more the water dissolves the sugars and starches that make the cells walls stable. If allowed to dry without careful intervention, even large ship timbers can shrink, crack, and warp beyond recognition.
Maritime archaeologists know that a conservator should be involved in the planning process for any underwater site from the very beginning so that the artifacts have the best chance at long-term preservation
Conservation Research Laboratory (CRL)
- About CRL
- Projects
- Maritime
- Terrestrial
- Education & Publications
- Publications
- The Archaeological Conservation Certificate
- Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
- CRL Treatment Methods
