Knowra Archaeological conservation Archaeological conservation Archaeological conservation protects and stabilizes sites and objects against damage and decay. It combines preventive care with interventions that preserve material evidence and its context.
Preventive conservation : Care that reduces deterioration by controlling an object's environment, handling, storage, and display. Managing light, humidity, pollutants, and handling can prevent damage before treatment is needed.
Archaeological excavation : The controlled recovery of buried material remains and their spatial, stratigraphic, and contextual evidence. Excavation exposes materials to new conditions and can make conservation urgent.
Underwater archaeology : The study of archaeological remains in submerged environments, including seas, lakes, and rivers. Waterlogged finds can deteriorate rapidly when removed from their stable underwater environment.
Anastylosis : The reassembly of a monument using its original elements, with any replacement material kept to the minimum needed for stability. It restores structural legibility, while conservation may favor stabilization without reassembly.
Nara Document on Authenticity : A 1994 international document explaining that judgments of cultural heritage authenticity depend on diverse cultural contexts and sources of information. Its account of cultural context challenges one-size-fits-all conservation standards.
Condition assessment : A systematic examination that records an object's or site's condition, materials, and signs of change. Assessment identifies active decay and guides proportionate conservation decisions.
Archaeological context : The spatial and stratigraphic relationships that give archaeological remains evidence about their past use and deposition. Conservation decisions must preserve relationships and site evidence, not only physical objects.
Conservation of waterlogged wood : The treatment and stabilization of wood preserved in waterlogged archaeological conditions. Waterlogged wood requires controlled drying or consolidation to avoid collapse after recovery.
Archaeological reconstruction : The rebuilding or visual recreation of a past structure or setting from archaeological and historical evidence. Reconstruction adds a representation of the past beyond the narrower aim of conserving surviving evidence.
Burra Charter : An Australia ICOMOS charter setting out principles for conserving places of cultural significance. Its values-based process links conservation decisions to a place's cultural significance.
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