Museums all over the world abide by this to extend the objects life for future education and for general public enjoyment for generations to come. While all of this is true, but it is a very artifact-oriented view. A common terminology developed for the conservation of cultural heritage, adopted at the 2008 ICOM-CC (International Council of Museum Committee for Conservation conference, New Delhi), has removed ambiguity and helped conservation and restoration
One duty of the conservator is to stabilize the artifact so that it retains its form and diagnostic data.
Dr. Fredrick Hiebert, National Geographic Archaeology Fellow 1985. All associations are not culturally significant, but if one approaches each archaeological excavation with the basic assumption that many associations are meaningful, and excavates accordingly, additional systemic and intra-site problems can be considered.The conservation of metal artifacts from a marine site, and to a lesser degree metal artifacts from fresh water sites, is only remotely analogous to the conservation problems presented by other fields of archaeology. Organic materials are preserved more closely as they deteriorate at a faster rate. Conservation is an integral part of the archaeological process and the post-excavation study of archaeological finds.
If it is reversible, the option to re-treat is always open, and the continued preservation of the material is assured.When objects are treated, the basic attitude and approach should be cautionary and similar to that outlined by Plenderleith and Werner (1971:16-17), who state that the past history of an artifact may impart features of significance pertaining to age and provenience, which can validate the authenticity of the artifact. For the purposes of this manual, near-term conservation goals will be considered those that deal with the proper storage of an artifact until the long-term goal of suitable treatment can be performed. “Conservation of Museum Collections.” Accessed April 11https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/01-01.pdf EndNote
It should never be hurried. Thus there is deposited in the waters of the world a mass of materials--dating from the earliest historical times to the present--capable of being located, recovered, identified, and preserved" (Peterson 1969: xiii-xiv). Then have students propose technological solutions to these issues before viewing Advancements in technology can help further scientific research. Use Google Earth to find the geographic location of the tombs of Brainstorm the various difficulties archaeologists may face as they work to uncover and investigate historical sites and artifacts across the globe. The conservator's responsibilities are that of archaeologist, mender, caretaker, and recorder of the artifacts that come into his or her care. In some ancient civilizations and current societies, tombs house the deceased. http://www.archaeological.org/sitepreservation/hca?page=1ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM)
Conservation activities include preventive conservation, examination, documentation, research, treatment, and education. Every attempt should be made to preserve as much as possible of the original surfaces, form, and dimensions, i.e., the diagnostic attributes of the object. The archaeological material is typically made from organic or inorganic materials. At present, any well-planned underwater excavation should include properly planned conservation prior to the excavation and no one should be forgiven if conservation is cursory or slighted.
In environments where the encrustation is thin, the role of casting is less important, and the number of artifacts associated with any encrustation decreases.It is often maintained by some treasure hunters that no artifact provenience other than site designation is necessary, since associated relationships are not significant. Considerable information exists in the form of associations recoverable only by in situ observations made by the conservator. Teach Archaeology, Conservation, and Preservation in the Classroom Impacts of Environmental Factors Many archaeological sites around the world, like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, are threatened by erosion from the air, water, or natural disaster.