The Current State of Archaeological Conservation in Museums

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The Current State of Archaeological Conservation
in Museums

• Presented by Sarah Hagarty

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Some Background on Archaeology

• Artifacts
• Material remains of the past
• Many forms, materials, sizes, levels of
  completeness, and ages
• Highly culturally diverse

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Some Background on Archaeology

• The Archaeological Process
• Excavation
• Analysis
• Generation of site report
• Objects go into storage or are given to a museum

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Some Background on Archaeology

• Context
• Context is the unique physical setting, location,
  and cultural association of an artifact
• Context gives archaeologists about an artifacts
  manufacture, use, and significance to a culture

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Some Background on Archaeology

• When an object emerges from the ground it is an
  encapsulation of its history up to that moment
  but the unraveling of that history by the modern
  interrogative techniques of conservation
  inevitably involves the destruction of evidence
  as much as the preservation of that artifact
  (Susan Pearce)
• The archaeological process is inevitably
  destructive
• Excavation removes the artifacts from their
  original context
• Most analysis requires part of the artifact to be
  removed

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Some Background on Archaeology

• After excavation is completed, the primary
  context of an artifact no longer physically
  exists
• It can only be found in the notes of
  archaeologists, researchers, and the site report
• Without context an artifact loses its
  significance and has no intellectual value nor
  can it be identified.

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Site Documentation
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Site Documentation
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Some Background on Archaeology
Before Excavation Began
After Completed Excavation
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What is Archaeological Conservation?

• Archaeological conservation is the conservation
  of material produced by systematic field
  excavation It includes both field and first-aid
  (salvage archaeology) treatment as well as more
  complete examination and treatment in the
  laboratory, based on the understanding of
  chemical and physical properties of materials
  (Johnson).
• It is the preservation of cultural property and
  knowledge for the future (AIC Definitions of
  Conservation)
• Conservation is done via, examination,
  documentation, treatment, and preventive care,
  supported by research and education (AIC
  Definitions of Conservation).

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Challenges in Doing Archaeological Conservation

• Conservation should be concerned with the
  preservation of historical and cultural
  significance, not the restoration of an artifact
• There is not such thing as a routine conservation
  treatment
• Each artifact is unique in its makeup and
  significance which makes treatment difficult
• This necessitates a full scientific analysis of
  the physical properties of an artifact
• Full-scale documentation
• This also involves a consideration of cultural
  significance
• This process should be done only when the full
  context of an artifact is considered

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Problems with the Current State of Archaeological
Conservation

• Treatment is inevitably destructive although
  strategies are improving through increased
  awareness
• Often does not involves a multi-disciplinary
  approach
• Conservation policy and practice often follow a
  sequence of steps that each involves a separate
  sphere of professionals and players, often with
  little interplay among the spheres (The Getty
  Conservation Institute).
• Archaeologists and conservators see themselves as
  the sole caretakers
• Artifacts are put at risk
• Cultural knowledge is put at risk

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• Increased dialogue between knowledgeable parties
  (archaeologists, researchers, curators,
  conservators, and cultural representatives)
• Since no individual can be an expert in every
  aspect of conservation, it may be appropriate to
  consult with colleagues or, in some instances to
  refer to the owner, custodian, or authorized
  agent to accomplish the required work (AIC Code
  of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice)
• This is necessary so that conservation treatments
  are planned in a comprehensive way
• It ensures that the conservator handles the past
  and present cultures of the artifact respectfully
  and responsibly
• This also ensures that artifacts maintain their
  cultural heritage which is the essence of
  cultural museum collections
• Kota reliquary figures

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• This increased dialogue also improves existing
  documentation, practices, and understanding in
  the fields of archaeology and conservation
• Agora excavation
• The archaeologists became more attentive towards
  artifacts as they better understood how the
  objects could be preserved for future people
• The conservators gained a better understanding of
  and appreciation for the artifacts

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• Archaeological conservation needs true guidelines
  and standards
• While there are increasing standards regarding
  ethnographic collections, especially human
  remains, necessary guidelines and standards for
  archaeological artifacts are lacking
• Many archaeologists lack adequate knowledge about
  conservation practices and therefore do not
  consider them during an excavation
• There are few conservators who specialize in
  archaeological material resulting from a lack of
  literature and educational programs on the
  subject

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• Organizations including the AIC (American
  Institute for Conservation of Historic and
  Artistic Works) and The Getty Conservation
  Institute are working to provide better
  guidelines, standards, and ethics of cultural
  conservation practices.
• This represents a recent shift within the
  conservation community towards, recognizing that
  material culture embodies both tangible and
  intangible qualities. Intangible qualities
  include the range of values and significance that
  accrue to objects over time-starting at the
  moment of their creation until their designation
  as heritage (AIC Defining the Conservator)

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• Museums and conservators need to change the way
  they view artifacts
• Most group artifacts by culture, site, or
  typology causing these objects to be thought of
  as groups or series
• It is necessary that the focus remains on
  individual artifacts specifically their unique
  contexts and makeup to ensure better conservation
  and general care of artifacts

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• The goal of archaeological conservation should
  always be preservation of an artifact as well as
  its significance and context
• A focus on the tangible and intangible aspects of
  the object
• The true nature of archaeological remains must,
  include evidence about the origin, construction,
  and materials of the piece (Pearce, 106)

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• When an object emerges from the ground it is an
  encapsulation of its history up to that moment
  but the unraveling of that history by the modern
  interrogative techniques of the conservators
  inevitably involves the destruction of evidence
  as much as the preservation of a version of that
  artifact(Pearce 106).
• Conservators have the responsibility of balancing
  recovery and preservation of evidence and are in
  essence walking a very fine line.
• This necessitates full knowledge of an artifact
  as well as collaboration with other knowledgeable
  parties

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• Conservators have the responsibility of balancing
  recovery and preservation of evidence, this is a
  fine line to walk
• Ritually damaged objects

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How Can these Challenges be Addressed?

• Full documentation
• Much like an archaeological site report, a
  conservators report is often the only evidence
  of this part of an artifacts life
• This documentation should be as comprehensive as
  possible and may include tape and video
  recordings, photographs, written documentation,
  and samples of included with the report

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In Conclusion

• Archaeological conservation is a highly complex
  process
• Must consider many tangible and intangible
  aspects of an artifact
• Physical aspects such as material and chemical
  makeup
• Cultural significance
• Archaeological context

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In Conclusion

• Archaeological conservation is currently
  experiencing a period when it is realizing its
  potential.
• Increased dialogue between and collaboration
  with knowledgeable parties will allow
  conservators to gain an full understanding of and
  appreciation for individual artifacts
• Increased focus on context or cultural heritage
  as well as more specific ethics, guidelines, and
  standards will enlighten conservators and greatly
  advance the field of archaeological conservation.