Unlike restoration, in which objects are treated directly, preventive conservation is concerned with their environment. Providing the right environment involves temperature and relative humidity controls, or microclimates; protection from atmospheric pollutants, fire, insects and vandalism; and proper methods for placing objects in reserves, as well as presenting, handling and transporting them. 

Figure 6: Archaeological objects on the shelves of the Laboratoire et Réserve d'archéologie du Québec/MCC.  Photo: André Bergeron, Centre de conservation du Québec.

While restoration is not part of archaeologists’ work, their participation in preventive conservation is important. Archaeologists can optimize the survival of the objects they discover by ensuring certain conditions, whether it involves providing the right initial care for artifacts as they are unearthed in the field or seeing that objects are properly treated when they are transported from a site to a laboratory or used as part of a presentation of archaeological projects and research intended for the general public.

Museological collections are usually kept in reserves, that is, places that are climate-controlled and equipped to meet the needs of specific types of collections. Archaeological collections must be treated in a similar way, especially since the materials of which they are composed may often be fragile and require mounts and, ideally, environments that are adapted to the artifacts’ particular requirements. 

For example, a collection of restored iron objects found on a marine site will remain in good condition only in a dry environment. In contrast, a collection of restored wooden or leather objects require an environment in which frequent rapid fluctuations in relative humidity are avoided. The best solution for preserving collections is often to create made-to-measure climate-controlled environments that meet their particular needs.

Figure  7: A microclimate box arranged for a metal object, a rifle lock. The box contains silica gel (installed beneath the object), which maintains a dry environment inside the container. The cover, which has been removed for the photograph, ensures that the box is airtight. Collections of the Laboratoire et Réserve d'archéologie du Québec/MCC. Photo: André Bergeron, Centre de conservation du Québec.

When archaeological objects are placed in a reserve, they often require custom-made mounts in order to support certain fragile parts and ensure their preservation. Adapted mounts alleviate stress on the materials and make it less likely that new restoration work will be required in future; damage leading to subsequent re-treatments should be avoided, not only because of the higher costs involved but also because of its impact on the material’s integrity. Precautions must also be taken when objects are transported and installed in museum showcases. It is advisable to use specific materials for constructing these showcases and the objects’ mounts, as well as the transportation cases. Even the way in which this equipment is assembled can be important.

Figure 8 : These two wooden objects discovered in a marine environment illustrate how some artifacts are placed in reserves. The object in the foreground is broken in three fragments but has not been mended since its structure remains too fragile. Photo: André Bergeron, Centre de conservation du Québec.

Figure 9-A: An archaeological object, a water jug, on its presentation mount. Viewed from a certain angle, the mount is almost invisible. Photo: André Bergeron, Centre de conservation du Québec.	Figure 9-B: When the water jug is removed, the complex structure of the mount is revealed. This form, designed specifically for the jug, ensures that the object remains stable when it is presented in an exhibition. Photo: André Bergeron, Centre de conservation du Québec.

Preventive conservation consists of a great many small details that must be attended to in order to ensure the transmission of our archaeological heritage for future generations. No amount of restoration can match the value of preventing an object from deteriorating!

André Bergeron, Blandine Daux, Jean Dendy, Ariane Lalande, Kateri Morin et France Rémillard, conservators, atelier archéologie et ethnologie, Centre de conservation du Québec.

For more information on the work of the conservator, view the video: 

André Bergeron : Restaurateur spécialisé en archéologie www.archeoquebec.com/fr/file/798