A Conservation Manual for the Field Archaeologist

Conservation treatments and techniques for the archaeologist in the field, emphasizing how to conserve an excavated object before it is taken to a trained conservator offsite. Safety procedures and conservation supplies and materials are recommended. Techniques for lifting, cleaning, consolidating, marking, and storing are discussed, along with methods for treating specific artifact materials (e.g., amber, wood). Appendixes cover impressions and chemical preparations. This manual is for archaeologists in the field who do not have an on-site conservator. It tells them how to lift, handle and pack objects for transport to the laboratory, and also how to carry out any necessary first-aid. It is based on experience in Europe, the Middle East and America and is widely applicable to sites of all periods, even up to relatively modern where some organic remains may be found. It is extremely easy to use, having four chapters on principles, such as safety, supplies and general treatments, followed by a fifth chapter on individual materials arranged alphabetically from amber to wood. This is the only book of its kind currently available and it will be a useful aide memoire for conservators, both in the field and the laboratory, as well as for archaeologists and other field workers. It will also be useful as a teaching manual for archaeology degrees where a conservation awareness is taught.' - Andrew Oddy.