The importance of proper handling of archeological materials cannot be overstated. Without appropriate handling and storage, both the objects and the knowledge that can be gleaned from them can be lost forever. Processing begins in the field and continues through appropriate storage of the items.
Methods vary with the particular type of object and the location in which it is found. It is vital that accurate records be kept regarding where the object is found and how it is oriented, whether it is from a marine environment or a dig. The materials must be extracted with care and packed for moving to a laboratory for further processing. Until archeological materials are stabilized and preserved, they should be handled only by people trained in the work.
Objects from a dig
Each layer of a dig is recorded and any objects found are photographed where they lie. They are then packaged for further analysis either on site or in a laboratory. The soil is sifted for fragments and seeds that may be present. Everything is recorded with information about location, orientation, and condition of the object. Removing an object from the soil is done very slowly and carefully so that as little harm is done as possible.
Archival quality packaging materials should be used. Proper labeling is also essential. Each object must be carefully analyzed as to how it should be preserved and packaged. Things that need special handling should be segregated and labeled with this information.
Archeological artifacts need to be kept in an environment similar to that which they are found in. If dry, they must be kept dry, and if wet, they need to be kept wet until stabilized. Care must be taken to guard against mold or damage in transport such as abrasions or breakage.
Once the artifacts and remains are removed, they are cleaned and sorted . Everything is weighed and measured. Catalogue numbers are assigned, the boxes labeled and the catalogue prepared. One acid-free archival hard copy of the catalogue and the electronic disc should be sent to the laboratory with the materials.
Marine archeology
Artifacts found in salt water require special handling. They may be well preserved in this environment but could disintegrate if taken from it and not handled with the utmost care. Organic materials like cloth or wood can crumble to dust in a matter of hours if allowed to dry without appropriate preservation. Even stone, bone or pottery can degenerate into useless bits if not processed quickly and correctly.
The project director needs to anticipate the types of objects that may be found and have ready the facilities and materials for preserving them. In the field, after recording where the object is found, it should be transported either in ocean water or in fresh water to which sodium hydroxide has been added, adjusted to a pH of 10 to 12. They should be protected from light. Encrustations should not be removed before transporting.
Before processing, each object must be carefully analyzed to determine the presence of metal, organic material, glass, etc. After this, it should be x-rayed to investigate its condition and how best to remove the encrustations. Then the encrustations are slowly removed with hammer and chisels, or with precision pneumatic tools. The objects are then stabilized and preserved using various types of synthetic resins.
References and further information:
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/crl/conservationmanual/File1.htm
http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/engr/curation/Graphics/PDFs/Guidelines%20Field%20Collection%20and%20Curating%20DoD%20Archaeological%20Collections.pdf
