Directors of Program: Maia Langley and Justina Borralho

Scientific Direction: Maia Langley and Justina Borralho

Program date:

Conservation, in general, is the preservation of artefacts and is based on the understanding of materials, their manufacture and how and why these materials decompose and the procedures necessary to stabilize their decomposition.  In the case of ceramics, where the form is well document or easily estimated, a reconstruction of the vessel can be recreated. In order to understand the restoration of ceramic vessels, specialists must have a familiarity with fabrics, fabric inclusions, range of colors and textures as well as the forms and functions of ceramic vessels.  In this course, all students will be presented the theoretic basis of practical conservation of archaeological objects and given an introduction into ceramic wares while being closely instructed and supervised by both a ceramicist and professional conservationist.  All activities developed during the course of the program and conducted by the students, will be documented photographically and annotated for the posterity of the restored pieces and for the benefit of the students’ portfolios.

Archaeological conservation is a process made up of several steps and the most essential step begins on-site when the artefact is removed from its place in situ. The observation and recording of all materials from this initial step is crucial in the role of conservation as professional restorers must understand the possible dangers and measures that must be taken during the reconstruction of the artefact, i.e. the possible effects that atmospheric exposure may have upon the artefact. 

Conservation in the laboratory is the next step. This is where the triage and examination with specified equipment takes place and the diagnosis and appropriate treatment is applied as recently excavated artefacts and those that have endured long term storage must be handled in different ways. Another aspect to be considered is that recently excavated as some have previously been treated and must be studied and analyzed in the laboratory. 

The last step in the series of stages of conservation are the long term conservation of artefact for exhibitions or those that tare to be placed in long term storage.  Environmental controls and consistent monitoring is fundamental to the preservation of the collections.

In this course all the students have the opportunity of acquire theory bases and practical conservation in objects always with professional tutoring. During the course all activities developed by the students will be documented with photographs and writing procedures for the elaboration of the portfolio.