An Overview of Artifact Preservation

​Some archeological discoveries are intentional, while others are accidental. Either way, archeologists typically work to carefully preserve the historical objects they unearth. Artifact preservation safeguards archeological finds, ensuring availability and accessibility for future generations.

When archeologists discover ancient pottery, for example, they document their discoveries with photos, videos, and reports. Next, they may establish when the object was used. From there, they classify the object under its respective category, such as Renaissance pottery. They may also display the artifact at a museum for entertainment, education, or research purposes.

Before scientists can do anything to an object, they evaluate it to determine its condition and outline the necessary preservation techniques. Some artifacts are recovered in their original state, while others are damaged or incomplete. The latter are typically repaired to restore them to the extent possible.

Most items require cleaning before storing. The cleaning method also depends on the artifact in question. A popular cleaning method for cleaning metal is electrolysis, which removes rust.

Next comes preservation. This helps maintain an object’s integrity while preserving it for posterity. Preservation techniques like resin coating and desalination stabilize damaged objects, preventing further degradation.

Preservation techniques depend on the object’s material. Popular techniques include vacuum-sealing, freezing, and chemical treatment. Organic artifacts such as plants, wood, and textiles may require storage where temperature, humidity, and light are carefully controlled. This protects objects against damage from environmental and biological factors, such as mold.

Records are also an important part of archeology, as they allow researchers to make sense of historical objects. Assigning each object an identification number through cataloging is necessary for accessibility and tracking purposes.

The more detailed an artifact’s documentation, the richer its context. Records should provide information on the location and condition of the find, restoration, cleaning, and preservation work conducted. They should also include any data that might enrich the finding’s context, such as topographical maps of the area and geographic information systems data.

Some historical finds deteriorate despite even the best preservation efforts, a reality that archeologists must contend with. In this case, digitization techniques can be helpful. With technology like 3D imagery, scientists can reconstruct archeological sites and artifacts. They can also preserve them virtually. For example, by digitizing the Gunboat Philadelphia (the oldest American fighting vessel), the Smithsonian American Art Museum documented minute areas of damage and other structural changes to the vessel (which was recovered in 1935 with much of its equipment intact).

Light projection is another technique that is used. Harvard Art Museum collaborated with the University of Basel and MIT to develop software that generates faded paintings’ original colors, which are then projected via low-intensity light onto the original material, virtually restoring it. Such a technology could bring back to public view writings and paintings that are too fragile for restoration by traditional methods.

Not all historical finds make it to museums’ public galleries. However, modern technologies can increase accessibility to these artifacts. Thanks to virtual reality, audiences can experience a 3D image of an object remotely. Such technologies also help address ethical concerns. Balancing public accessibility with the cultural significance of some objects can be challenging. With virtual reality, global audiences can experience history without the objects ever leaving their places of origin.

Artifact preservation is critical for several reasons. It conserves history and cultural heritage while providing humans with tangible links to the past. It also offers immense research opportunities, as future researchers can leverage advances in archeological research to open new lines of inquiry and develop new perspectives.

Joel Bartsch

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