Minnesota Historical Society

Standards for Processing Archaeology

Collections

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General Conservation Guidelines for the Field and the Lab
It is best to take a minimal and cautious approach to treating objects. Oftentimes, it is
best to do nothing at all to an object and suffer a minor loss than to use a risky and
dangerous treatment and lose the entire object and its intrinsic information.

1) BE PREPARED!! Make the effort to know what objects and materials may be
recovered, and have the proper supplies and equipment on hand. Contact a qualified
professional archaeological conservator for advice before you go into the field.

2) It is the archaeologist’s responsibility and obligation to become familiar with new

field manuals that have been published from the perspective of modern conservation
practices (see attached references). It is no longer acceptable to rely on “conservation”
advice from other fields such as paleontology or geology or on outdated recipes and
publications.

3) Acrylic thermoplastic resins (such as B-72) are the only glues that are approved
for conservation use. Most commercial adhesive preparations are not approved by MHS
archaeological conservators for use on archaeological objects due to a lack of chemical
stability. Cellulose nitrate glues such as Duco Household Cement are completely
unacceptable due to long-term instability and other technical problems. Poly vinyl
acetate (PVAc) formulations may be used in some circumstances with the assistance of
the conservators.

4) Avoid chemical cleaners of any kind in the cleaning water for ceramics, bones, and
other organic materials. A conservator must be contacted if it is deemed that such a
cleaner needs to be used to remove a mineral crust or stain.

5) All iron objects do not need to be cleaned by the electrolytic method, as has
become common in historic archaeological lab methodology. This method may actually
destroy valuable artifactual information. A qualified conservator should be consulted
before proceeding.

6) Thorough photographic and written documentation must be done before, during,

and after any conservation treatments, such as reconstruction, are performed. Field
removal in situ consolidation and block removal must also be photographically and
graphically documented. This documentation must become part of the excavation
records.

Don’t hesitate to contact a conservator when you encounter a recovery problem that is
beyond your knowledge or experience.
Please contact the Daniels Object Conservation Laboratory directly if you have any
questions on these guidelines. [email protected] (651) 297-5774 or

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[email protected] (651) 282-2745. General numbers for MHS Conservation are: 1-
800-657-3773 or 651-297-1867

A BRIEF LIST OF SUGGESTED READINGS:

Collins, Chris. 1995. The Care and Conservation of Paleontological Materials.

Butterworth-Heinemann. The sections on sub-fossil bone are written by archaeological
conservators, and the entire book contains update information.

Storch, Paul. 1997. “Conservation of Archaeological Shell Objects”, Number 22,

Sept. 1997, Conservation Notes. Texas Memorial Museum, The University of
Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.

Storch, Paul. 2003. “Field and Laboratory Methods for Handling Osseous
Materials”. MHS Conservation Website. Originally published in the
Conservation Notes series Number 6, November 1983, Texas Memorial Museum,
The University of Texas at Austin, 2400 Trinity, Austin, TX 78705. Copies of the
original can be purchased from the TMM for $1.00 each.

Cronyn, J.M. 1992. The Elements of Archaeological Conservation. Routledge,

New York.

Hodges, H.W.M. 1987. In Situ Archaeological Conservation. Getty Conservation

Institute, CA.

Kite, M. and Thomson, R. 2006. The Conservation of Leather and Related

Materials, Chapter 22: “The Conservation of Archaeological Leather”,
Butterworth-Heinemann-Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Pearson, C. 1987. Conservation of Marine Archaeological Objects. Butterworth-

Heinnemann.

Poirier, D.A., and Feder, K.L. 2001. Dangerous Places: Health, Safety, and
Archaeology. Bergin and Garvey, CT.

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MHS Standards for Labeling Artifacts for Curation

Cataloging

Assign specific catalog numbers and label artifacts during lab analysis. Use a three- or
four-part number consisting of the collection accession number (the year and collection
number) and a sequential object number; or if a fourth number is used, a provenience
number and an object number, such as:
2006.21.2
2006 (year – part of the collection number assigned by the Minnesota Historical Society)
.21 (collection number – assigned by the Minnesota Historical Society)
.2 (object number – assigned by the depositor)

or 2006.46.15.7
2006 (year – part of the collection number assigned by the Minnesota Historical Society)
.46 (collection number – assigned by the Minnesota Historical Society)
.15 (a number for the provenience unit – assigned by the depositor)
.7 (object number – assigned by the depositor)

Apply labels as specified in the Labeling section.

Record the materials and methods used to clean and label artifacts in the project
documentation.

Culling

Do not submit materials collected from contaminated sites. You must also remove
all live ammunition, toxic or radioactive materials, asbestos, and other hazardous
substances from collections before depositing collections for curation! The
Minnesota Historical Society will not accept such material or human remains.

Beyond the removal of hazardous materials, the Minnesota Historical Society does not
have a policy regarding the culling or sampling of materials before curation. Bear in mind
however that when an application has been made for an Expanded Repository
Agreement, the Acquisitions Committee may not accept a collection with a large quantity
of low value items.

Artifact sampling is the responsibility of the principal investigator and may be carried out
in the field or in the lab, depending upon the methods specified in the research design.
Items such as building materials and fire-cracked rock are examples of artifact classes
that might commonly be culled before curation. It is essential that all decisions and actions
are well documented and become part of the project record. Culled objects with the detailed
descriptive and provenience information should be listed with catalog records, but marked as
“discarded”.

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Labeling

It is essential that the catalog number remain associated with an object or a group of objects as
soon as the number has been assigned.

An object may become inaccessible without the catalog number. For this reason, directly
label all stable artifacts larger than the size of a dime. (e.g., lithics, glass, ceramics, bone,
antler, most metals). The number must be:
durable to remain legible over time,
removable, should the need arise to make a change in the future, and
never cause harm to the object.

Applying Direct Labels

Direct paper labels

Paper labels may be generated from a computer and laser printer as an alternative to applying
numbers using India ink and pens. Compared to traditional handwritten labels, printed labels:
are more consistently legible,
can be reduced in size to fit small items,
can save time as the barrier layer does not need to dry to apply the paper label on top of
it, and
avoid the problem of finding a white background for a dark object.

Materials:
Acryloid B-72, 20% solution in acetone*
Acrylic gloss medium, Golden Artist Colors, Inc. (water-based acrylic emulsion)
Acetone, 100%*
Rhoplex
Printer paper (acid free) & laser printer
Archival paper tags with soft cotton string
2H pencil

Where to Label:
When applying direct labels, avoid diagnostic portions of an artifact. For example:
Stone tools should be labeled on the unmodified portion, or cortex, of the tool if
possible. If a tool has been bifacially worked, label the least photogenic side.
Sherds should not be labeled on the broken edges because accurate reconstruction
would be inhibited and would prevent observations of the ceramic body.
Labels should not cover maker’s marks or design elements, if possible.

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Procedure:

Choose the right barrier for the material.

B-72: Most three-dimensional objects (glazed ceramics, glass, metals, stone, ivory
and bone) can receive B-72 as a barrier layer for the label.
Rhoplex: Some kinds of basketry, wood, shoes w/o leather soles and plastics
should have Rhoplex as a barrier layer for the label.
Use extra care and concentration when applying barrier and surface layers as you are
making an application directly on the object. A clear B-72 barrier or Rhoplex layer
(whichever appropriate) is applied to the object to create a surface upon which to lay the
paper number, followed by a seal that protects the number from easy removal.
Make sure the surface you will mark is clean and free of corrosion
It may be advantageous to number a group of objects at one time.
Beware of drips sliding down your brushes. Try to remove as much excess as possible
before approaching the object.

1. Barrier Layer
Brush on a barrier layer of B-72 or Rhoplex (whichever is appropriate). A thin
rectangular layer is applied. Its size should not be excessive, but should be able
to accommodate the number and a topcoat within its boundaries.
Lay the paper accession number tag on to the barrier layer when it is just tacky
to the touch, OR
Let the barrier layer dry completely before attempting to write the number on
the layer if you are using India ink and pens.
Note: Thin your supply of B-72 with a small amount of acetone if it becomes too
thick, added 2-3 drops at a time. If your supply becomes yellow, it should be
discarded and a fresh batch made.
2. Accession Number
Enter accession numbers into a word processing document and print to a sheet of
paper. Use a legible font and size, such as “Arial” or “Times New Roman”,
appropriate for the artifact and the location of the number on the artifact; this may
vary anywhere from 2 pt. to 14 pt. Do not use script fonts such as “President” or
novelty fonts such as “German Black Letter”.
Cut the accession number from the sheet of numbers and apply it to the barrier
layer on the artifact. The small border around the number provided by the paper
background can improve the visibility and legibility of the number.
3. Seal
If B-72 was used as a barrier layer, brush a thin coat of acrylic gloss medium
over the paper number to ensure it is secured to the artifact. It will go on white, but
will dry to a clear finish.
If Rhoplex was used, brush on Rhoplex as a sealant layer also.
The topcoat should be smaller than the barrier layer. Allow to it to dry completely
before moving the object.
4. Removal
All layers can all be carefully removed with acetone applied with a cotton swab if a
mistake is made or change is needed after a number has been applied.

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 It is important to keep your solvents clean. Never re-dip a dirty swab into your
supply of solvent.
Use solvents sparingly. They should not come in contact with an object’s surface
any more than is necessary. Do not pour solvents into the sink. Contact the objects
conservator if you must dispose of any solvent.

Applying Indirect Labels

An archival quality, acid-free tag may be tied to an unstable object in order to label it.
An acid-free card may be included with the packaging of materials that cannot be labeled or
tagged, such as floral or soil samples.

Where to label:
Objects made of fur (skin), leather, or which have heavily corroded or porous surfaces cannot hold
an applied label. Instead, their primary label will be a paper and string tag.
Choose a strong holding point that will not break or abrade easily if the tag is pulled or
caught. If the sharp edges of the tag seem to be a hazard, round them off or use soft Tyvek
paper instead. If no safe area can be found, the tag may be placed in the container holding
the object without being attached.
Samples, such as soil or charcoal samples, and artifacts smaller than a dime that cannot have a label
attached will have bag tags as their primary labels.
Print the labels or use a pen with archival ink (such as a Pigma Micron © or India ink).
Place the bag tag in its own bag before enclosing it with a charcoal sample or other material
where the sample or the tag may be harmed by contact.

Materials:
2H pencil
Archival paper tags with soft cotton string
Printer paper
India ink or Pigma Micron © pen

QUICK REFERENCE:
PRIMARY
MATERIAL TYPE LABEL TYPE LABEL LOCATION
Ceramics, glass, metals, stone, B-72 is the barrier layer. Acrylic Unobtrusive area
ivory, bone gloss medium as the seal layer to (usually bottom or back)
enclose the ink or printed label.
Some kinds of basketry, wood, Rhoplex as the barrier layer. Unobtrusive area
shoes without leather soles, Rhoplex is also the seal layer to (usually bottom or back)
plastics, wax, lacquered surface enclose the ink or printed label
Leather or skin (fur), heavily Paper and string tag or cotton cloth Unobtrusive spot that will
corroded metals, other porous tape, loop not be harmed by the
surfaces string; tie loosely

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MHS Standards for Packing Artifacts and Records for Curation

The processing of artifacts is the responsibility of the depositor. This includes cleaning,
analyzing, cataloging, labeling, and packing.
Collections deposited with MHS should be ready for long term curation and/or conservation
procedures, as needed.

Packing Artifacts

Use archival materials only (see table below)

Separate artifacts by material types and weights, as appropriate.
Place all objects in 2 to 4 mil zip-lock polyethylene bags. Use other containers, such as
polypropylene or glass vials, for support and protection of fragile items, as needed.
Use an appropriate bag size for the size and number of artifacts.
Ventilate bags containing non-metal artifacts.
Include data blocks (see form in appendix) printed on archival paper in each object bag or write
with permanent marker on the outside of bags that have white panels for this purpose (never write
on bags without panels). This should include:
1. Accession number(s)
2. Site number
3. Site name (if applicable)
4. Provenience information
5. Object name
6. Object count
Organize the artifact bags systematically; consider future use of the collection, size of collection,
and number of diagnostic artifacts.
Provenience unit is the preferred criteria when organizing collections for storage (this
is especially suitable for small survey collections).
Analytical units, such as artifact classes, may be packed and stored together but should
be ordered by provenience unit within each analytical group.
Frequently examined artifacts or “diagnostic” collections may be stored together in
an easily accessible place. These items should also be ordered by provenience within the
group. A cross-reference card should be placed in sequence with the other artifacts from
the provenience where the “diagnostic” might otherwise have been stored, in order to
indicate where the artifact can be found.

Always use bags that have white label panels when grouping smaller artifact bags into larger
ones. Label the outer bag with a list of the provenience units contained within. Write with
permanent marker on the outside of bags (never write on bags without panels).

Provide adequate support for objects when assembling artifact bags into boxes. Do not pack light
or fragile items directly with heavy items.

Include a box list detailing the catalog numbers, site number(s), and project information for the
collections found in the container (see form). The box holding the collections for deposit does not

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need to be made of archivally stable materials because the Minnesota Historical Society will
provide a box for collections storage.
Associated Documentation

Leave records in the order listed on the Documents Checklist form (see Checklist form).
Do not submit electronic records, except for the artifact catalog and photographs.
Use archival materials:
Remove paper clips, staples, and rubber bands. Use archival quality folders to group
materials.
Label all document cover sheets with the Repository Agreement number and applicable project
and accession numbers.
Label each photographic image with: photographers name; date image was taken; and a
description of the image; or a unique identification number referencing a photographic log
containing this information.
Over-sized maps should be rolled, wrapped in Melinex® (formerly know as mylar®) or acid-
free paper, and placed in a stable tube. Label the tube with the Repository Agreement number and
applicable project information.

Materials:
Below is a table of materials that should and should not be used for packing and storing material
remains. In general, containers should be self-closing. Rubber bands, twist ties, tape, string,
staples, or heat sealing should not be used to close containers.
(http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/collections/mgt_02.htm)

Recommended Packing Packing Materials Not Recommended

Materials for Objects for Objects

Acid-free boxes Cigar boxes or regular cardboard boxes

Acid-free paper PVC or unidentified plastic containers
Acid-free poster board Styrofoam
Acid-free tissue paper Sandwich baggies
Polypropylene containers Unidentified plastic wrap
Polyethylene foam Polyurethane chips
Polyethylene bags with zip closure Toilet paper, facial tissue, or newspaper
(2-4mm thickness) Acidic paper
Polyethylene sheeting and chips Brown paper bags
Polyester batting Cellophane tape
Tyvek® for labels Cotton wool
Aluminum foil (C14 samples only) Foam rubber, urethane foam
Metal containers (limited uses) Masking tape
Glass containers (limited uses &
insulated against breakage)
Cotton or muslin fabric
Melinex®
Ethafoam®