Detail of a Tumbaga figuring

Conservation Department, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

Programs and ServicesPreventative ConservationIntegrated Pest ManagementResearch and TreatmentInka FigurineMica SerpentMaya Paper MoldsPueblo Ceramic VesselMicmac Chief's Coat

 

Surface cleaning of a paper mold

 

Pueblo ceramic vessel

RESEARCH AND TREATMENT PROJECTS

The conservation staff abide by the current AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. Conservation stabilization or treatment of individual or groups of accessioned items may be necessary when requested for an in-house or traveling loan exhibition, or for research use. Stored collections may be identified, during condition assessments or monitoring activities, as being 'at-risk' or in need of conservation. At any time, the Conservation Department's laboratory has more accessioned collections awaiting examination, analysis, treatment, and/or rehousing than can be immediately accommodated.

Examples of recent conservation treatment and research projects:

1. Documentation, surface cleaning, and storage containerization of the Museum's collection of Maya paper molds (image middle left) produced in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

2. Documentation, analysis, treatment and rehousing of archaeological objects and textiles including:

a. Mica serpent form from Turner Mound in Ohio
b. Mica fragments from mound sites in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Ohio
c. Tumbaga figurines from Cocle, Panama (image top left)
d. Textile fragments from Chichen Itza
e. Southwest Pueblo ceramic vessel (image bottom left)

3. Documentation, analysis, treatment, and rehousing of ethnographic collections including:

a. Inka Figurine
b. Micmac wool coat with beadwork
c. Identification of previously unconfirmed materials in various items in the Lewis and Clark collection
d. Amazonian textile and bark cloth ornaments/masks
e. Several collections of early Native American teosinte/corn
f. A selected group of Asian painted banners
g. A Philippine Island wood double-outrigger canoe model
h. Several Crow, Apache, and Blackfeet clothing items

 

 

1. Detail of a Tumbaga figurine, Panama, Cocle (#40-17-20/7549)
2. Surface cleaning of a paper mold ("squeeze") from Piedras Negras, Stela 36, detail
2. New Mexico, Pueblo ceramic vessel (#50-46-10/37938) Before Treatment
Click on image to see it larger.

Peabody Museum

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Programs and Services | Preventative Conservation | Research and Treatment
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http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/conservation/