Rehousing a collection of archaeological textiles

Abstract

Abstract In 1996–97, the collection of over 2400 textiles from excavations of the medieval cultural levels in the city of Trondheim, Norway, were rehoused for storage and research. The new system had to be compatible with the existing high‐density mobile storage units and the demands of a research collection. A review of systems recommended for the storage of archaeological textiles yielded none which could be directly adopted. The modular system which evolved consists of transparent polystyrene crystal boxes with removable museumboard trays covered in cotton/modal jersey knit fabric slipcases. Textiles are held in place by the nap of the fabric. These ready‐to‐use containers are quick and efficient to assemble, employing no adhesive materials. The textiles are not restrained and are therefore directly accessable from both sides, and can be removed for analysis. Access to the collection is through a computerised textile database which also formed part of the rehousing project.