Conservation Strategies for Archaeologists

Overview

Review the role of conservation in the field and in the laboratory for archaeological projects. Discuss planning and preparation for the care of excavated materials. Learn about the condition of materials upon excavation and "first aid" packing and transport methods for artifacts from both dry and waterlogged contexts. Examine artifact preservation and methods to facilitate interpretation. Learn how to perform simple stabilization techniques such as dewatering waterlogged bone, removing chlorides from objects, and consolidating highly degraded glass, as well as exploring tips for mending vessels.

This seminar is offered in conjunction with Archaeological Curation and Collections Management.

Detailed Agenda

Faculty

Emily Williams, Ph.D., FAIC, FIIC, associate professor in Archaeological Conservation, Durham University; formerly senior archaeological conservator at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; research interests include waterlogged organics, the burial environment, and the history of conservation

Evaluation Comments

"[The seminar offered] a nice combination of theoretical background and some very practical tips to use in the field."

"[I learned] different methods for retrieving artifacts responsibly and the ways in which they can be conserved."

"[The seminar included] very helpful information for preplanning field projects and ways to handle surprises in the field."

"[I gained] a solid understanding of what field conservation entails-from planning to management to hands on."

Participants

Archaeologists; archaeological lab staff; historic preservation specialists; project managers.

Related Trainings

Archaeological Curation and Collections Management
NAGPRA Essentials
NAGPRA on-demand videos, National NAGPRA Program and NPI 

Locations and Dates

Cost

Conservation Strategies for Archaeologists
$800 2 days / in-person seminar registration
$300 2 days / in-person seminar registration for full-time student; identification must be submitted at time of pre-registration
NPI scholarship application, click here

Archaeological Curation and Collections Management
$1,100 3 days / in-person seminar registration
$350 3 days / in-person seminar registration for full-time student; identification must be submitted at time of pre-registration
NPI scholarship application, click here

Registration

Pre-registration is recommended at least 12 weeks prior to in-person seminars to avoid cancellations due to low enrollment. No payment information is required to pre-register.

To pre-register, click here.

Registration will open to pre-registered participants 8 weeks prior to the seminar. NPI will email a link to the registration page and pre-registered places will be held until 4 weeks prior to the seminar. Payment information is required to register.

Seminar access is limited to the participant registered and enrolled in the seminar.

Cancellations must be received 4 weeks prior to the seminar; registrations are refundable less any fees charged to NPI. A rescheduling fee may be applied to later, non-refundable cancellations. Participants receive a full refund if the seminar is cancelled by NPI. NPI reserves the right to substitute an instructor if necessary and will notify participants whenever possible.

How to register once you have received the registration link:
• Create/access a participant account at https://training.npi.org
• Secure a place with one of the following payment options:
    • Credit/debit card or PayPal payment [using PayPal credit card processing] from participant account [https://training.npi.org]
    • Credit/debit card [contact NPI to use an alternative credit card processor]
    • Training voucher/purchase order [email to info@npi.org]
    • Check payable to "National Preservation Institute" [mail to NPI, P.O. Box 1702, Alexandria, VA 22313]
    • ACH transfer [contact NPI for details]

Seminar Location, Hours, and Hotels

Information on seminar location, hours, and conveniently located hotels is available online to registered participants. Seminars generally are held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Certificates of Attendance

Certificates of attendance are available online upon completion of training. Instructions for receiving certificates are included in the NPI Welcome Letter, available to participants once they are registered online. A certificate for a one-day seminar provides 6 training hours, a two-day seminar provides 12 training hours, and a three-day seminar provides 18 training hours.

Customized Training

NPI offers customized training to meet specific organizational needs at a location and time convenient for the sponsor. In-person seminars, online, on-demand courses, and/or webinars may be based on current NPI offerings or new preservation-related training may be developed.

Questions?

Contact NPI at 703.765.0100 or info@npi.org.

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