Archaeological Conservation Research Articles

Book Review: Archaeological Conservation Using Polymers: Practical Applications for Organic Artifact Stabilization

Book Review: Archaeological Conservation Using Polymers: Practical Applications for Organic Artifact Stabilization

Archaeological conservation using polymers: practical applications for organic artifact stabilization

Chapters 1. Laboratory Set-Up Mechanisms 2. Baseline 3. Archaeological Wood 4. Leather Preservation Artifacts 5. Composite 6. Cordage and Textiles 7. Glass Conservation 8. Ivory and Bone Expanding the 9. Conservation Tool Kit

‘Once Upon a Megalithic Time…’: the Representation of Archaeology in Irish Tourism Literature

This paper is drawn from postgraduate research which looked at the role and representation of archaeology in Irish heritage tourism. At issue is how archaeology and archaeological sites are represented in brochures and ‘flyers’ which have been produced in Ireland for the tourist market. The discussion centres on the relationship this representation may have with issues of Irish identity and the conservation, management and use of archaeology in modern Ireland. The portrayal of Ireland, both at home and abroad, has long been dominated by tourism images. In turn, prevalent within and among these images are archaeological monuments and artefacts, whose primary role seems largely to support a particular understanding of the Irish past (and present). Parallels are drawn between the language and imagery employed in the brochures, and that of 19th century Irish nationalism. Whilst archaeology’s pivotal position in modern Irish heritage tourism is acknowledged, it is argued that the presentation and management of archaeology renders it intangible, static and ‘otherworldly’. This not only pre-empts public engagement with the processes behind the formation of the archaeological record in the past (and present), but facilitates the unquestioned use of archaeology in economic and political spheres.

‘Once Upon a Megalithic Time…’: the Representation of Archaeology in Irish Tourism Literature

<span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: TimesNewRoman;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: TimesNewRoman;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: TimesNewRoman;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-family: TimesNewRoman;"><p align="left">This paper is drawn from postgraduate research which looked at the role and representation of archaeology in Irish heritage tourism. At issue is how archaeology and archaeological sites are represented in brochures and ‘flyers’ which have been produced in Ireland for the tourist market. The discussion centres on the relationship this representation may have with issues of Irish identity and the conservation, management and use of archaeology in modern Ireland. The portrayal of Ireland, both at home and abroad, has long been dominated by tourism images. In turn, prevalent within and among these images are archaeological monuments and artefacts, whose primary role seems largely to support a particular understanding of the Irish past (and present). Parallels are drawn between the language and imagery employed in the brochures, and that of 19^th century Irish nationalism. Whilst archaeology’s pivotal position in modern Irish heritage tourism is acknowledged, it is argued that the presentation and management of archaeology renders it intangible, static and ‘otherworldly’. This not only pre-empts public engagement with the processes behind the formation of the archaeological record in the past (and present), but facilitates the unquestioned use of archaeology in economic and political spheres. </span></span></span></span>

NIR-FT Raman spectroscopy as a diagnostic probe for mummified skin and nails

Raman spectroscopy is able to provide novel information non-destructively in the analysis of ancient skin tissue samples. The technique is well-suited to partially desiccated or wet samples of skin, which may have been subjected to varying degrees of degradation, depending on the burial environment. Suitable selection of wavelength of excitation and use of a Raman microscope offer a means of accessing information from small samples, which may be required for study afterwards using destructive analytical methods. From comparisons with the Raman spectra of healthy and diseased contemporary skin specimens, it is possible to discover whether the skin preservation has been natural or assisted by chemicals used in mummification processes. Such information is of importance in archaeological conservation and can shed light on historical practices. In this study will be presented the results from Raman spectroscopic analysis of the skin of the 5200-year-old “ice-man” of the Alps and, skin and nail samples from the mediaeval Qilakitsoq ice-mummies (500-year-old) and skin from the hot-desert Chiribaya Mummies (1000-year-old).

An Odyssey Through Time at EMPA

For years EMPA has made many contributions to research on historical materials and their manufacture and conservation in archaeology, restoration and the preservation of historical monuments; areas that are somewhat exotic for a materials testing and research institute. This involves complex, preferably non-destructive investigations on objects that are often very valuable by means of organic and inorganic analysis methods. The emphasis is on investigations of paints and varnishes on paintings and metals such as gold, silver, copper, bronze and iron. The analysis of various materials and the associated problems are illustrated by a range of examples.

Perspectivas, itinerarios e intersecciones: experiencias y propuestas de apropiación cultural de Marroquíes Bajos (Jaén).

Since 1995 we have applied protection regulations for the archaeological area of Marroquies Bajos, located in the expanding area of the city of Jaen. These regulations force us to make archaeological excavations before building takes place. The preservation of some spaces and constructions of interest has called for the modification of building projects and even of the town planning, and now it is necessary to make these places suitable for public visits. This archaeological conservation aims to improve the urban quality on this side of the town, while exploitation for tourism is only marginal activity.

Sixty-Five Years of History: Archaeological Conservation at Colonial Williamsburg

Archaeological conservation at Colonial Williamsburg began in the early 1930s and has continued to the present, making it the longest running archaeological conservation project on a North American site. During this period, both the fields of conservation and of archaeology have undergone significant evolution. These changes have been reflected in the practice of archaeological conservation at Colonial Williamsburg. The focus has shifted from individual objects toward a more holistic vision of how these objects fit into the site and what they can tell us about the people that used them and the land on which they were found.

Introductory Remarks to Collected Papers from the Session “Making a Future for the Past: The Continuing Relevance of Old Collections, Collections Management, and Archaeological Conservation”

Il s'agit d'un appel a communication afin de participer a une session. Les auteurs insistent ici sur l'importance des collections anciennes et de leur conservation. Elles peuvent ainsi contribuer au developpement de nouvelles etudes, soit en realisant de nouveaux travaux sur les objets de collection, soit en utilisant les travaux deja realises comme reference pour aller plus loin dans de nouvelles investigations.

Site management at Giza Plateau: master plan for the conservation of the site

The Giza pyramids, one of the world's most important archaeological sites, are threatened by urban expansion, pollution, conservation challenges, and the pressures of tourism. A critical need exists for effective site management to protect the archaeological riches of this important site. The author describes the implementation of a four-phase management plan initiated in 1988. In the first phase, an organization scheme for the site was prepared. Phase II defined a conservation and archaeological plan for the east side of the Great Pyramid and for the queens' pyramids. Phase III, which is ongoing, will define conservation of the three main pyramids, includes a tourism management plan, and will complete development of a site master plan. Phase IV will outline a program for ongoing archaeological research and conservation. The site management plan for the Giza Plateau provides a model for addressing a wide spectrum of environmental issues affecting archaeological sites.

Public Opinion and Archaeological Heritage: Views from Outside the Profession

A survey of public opinion on archaeological heritage in British Columbia, Canada, focused on five main areas: knowledge of archaeology, interest and participation in archaeology, the role of archaeology in modern society, awareness and support of heritage conservation initiatives, and Aboriginal stewardship of the archaeological record. Public opinion data collected from a random sample of 963 residents of the greater Vancouver metropolitan area indicate a high level of interest and support for archaeology and heritage conservation, but also a high level of misunderstanding about the archaeological record and current legislative measures to protect it. In contrast to recent changes in legislation and initiations within the discipline, public attitude towards Aboriginal stewardship of archaeological resources is generally negative. Education, age, and gender are significant factors affecting differences in opinion.

Plants and mudbrick: preserving the Midas Tumulus at Gordian, Turkey

Gordion was the capital of ancient Phrygia and reputed home of King Midas (c. 700 BC). Its monuments include the Midas Tumulus, nearly a hundred smaller burial mounds and the ancient city of Gordion itself. Agricultural development and the natural forces of wind and water erosion threaten the integrity of these mounds. In order to preserve the monuments, the Gordion Project is attempting to create a solid cover of grasses and flowers on the Midas Mound. Both archaeological conservation and the preservation of biological diversity are served best by encouraging native plants to grow. To that end, a fence was erected in 1996, and lining the erosion channels with unbaked mudbrick has proved a successful experiment.

Agri‐environment schemes and their contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in England

SUMMARYAgri‐environment schemes were first launched in England in 1987. A number of schemes are now operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that invite farmers and landowners to enter formal agreements to change their management practices in order to achieve a range of nature, landscape and archaeological conservation objectives. Agreements are based on payments to compensate for loss of income incurred by adopting less intensive, low‐input practices that offer potential benefits for biodiversity conservation within agricultural landscapes. The UK Government's response to the Convention on Biological Diversity has included producing a list of priority species and habitats for conservation action. Each of these has its own detailed action plan, including time‐limited targets. A significant proportion of these targets can at least in part be met through the agri‐environment schemes; the way this is being done is illustrated through examples of lowland heathland and a bird, the cirl bunting Emberiza cirlus. Linking of biodiversity and agri‐environment objectives is an important step towards achieving a more sustainable agriculture.

BSc Archaeological Conservation Dissertation Abstracts, UCL Institute of Archaeology, 1998

BSc Archaeological Conservation Dissertation Abstracts, UCL Institute of Archaeology, 1998

Archaeological site conservation and management An appraisal of recent trends

There is an increasing awareness and interest in the issues of archaeological site conservation and management. The acknowledgement of these issues has encouraged greater collaboration between the allied professions of archaeology and heritage conservation. From this is evolving a new body of literature and practice. This paper offers an assessment of the field through a literature review of the past 25 years. The investigation reveals a lack of commonly agreed upon standards, principles and practices and the need for active cooperation between the related disciplines and local communities. It traces the development of the field from isolated material and object studies to recent interdisciplinary conferences. What emerges is a new focus on the archaeological site, as those involved in its protection expand conservation from object or material to an integrative practice of concomitant concerns. A selected bibliography is included.

New approaches to open site spatial archaeology in Sturt National Park, New South Wales, Australia

AbstractSurface scatters of stone artefacts are ubiquitous in the Australian landscape and form the basis for the majority of archaeological conservation decisions. The research reported here proposes a distributional approach for analysing this record founded on the artefact as the minimal recording unit rather than the site. A method of assemblage definition is proposed to permit the study of assemblage composition across space. The method is applied to artefacts exposed on the surface as a result of recent erosion at TIB 13 (Sturt National Park, NSW). All stone artefacts greater than 20mm in maximum dimension were recorded by locating each artefact in three‐dimensional space and analysing it in place. The distribution of these artefacts was then compared to the nature of the landform on which they rested through the use of a GIS. Analysis of assemblage composition indicates significant differences across an area of approximately 30,000m2.

Corrosion inhibitor testing in archaeological conservation

Corrosion inhibitor testing in archaeological conservation

Salisbury plain training area: archaeological conservation in a changing military and political environment

Salisbury Plain Training Area is a unique landscape. Protected from the ravages of 20th century agriculture, it includes some of the best‐preserved ancient landscapes and nature conservation sites in southern Britain. However, since the end of the cold war a new threat in the form of increased levels of military training, especially by armoured vehicles, has emerged. New management initiatives and conservation designations are now being used to ensure the survival of this nationally important archaeological resource.

Wetlands: Archaeology and Nature Conservation

Wetlands: Archaeology and Nature Conservation

Alfred Lucas: Egypt's Sherlock Holmes

A biography of the British Egyptologist Alfred Lucas (1867–1945) is given, including a detailed discussion of his most important scientific achievements, such as the rediscovery of the formula for faience and the publication of the landmark study Ancient Egyptian Materials. This paper places particular emphasis on the impact his work had upon the development of archaeological conservation as a profession.