In ConsDIstList Vol 32, Issue 3, Johanna Wolfram-Hilbe asked about a storage method for small (1 -10cm) fragments of wallpaintings, possibly considering expanded mica (perlite).
I would be concerned about the risk of losing small fragments in the perlite and the ingress of dust and small pieces of the perlite into breaks and rough edges of the fragments. Instead, have you considered the method that is used for other small archaeological finds? Take a number of small ziplock polythene bags and place a rectangle of thin Jiffyfoam (polythene foam sheet) in each one. Place the object inside the bag on one side of the foam and the label on the other side of the foam. That way the object can be seen through the bag without handling and the label read through the other side of the bag. The bags can be stacked vertically in a small box, lined with a sheet of Jiffy foam, especially if you can keep fragments of similar size together. To guard against moisture build-up in the bags, you can leave them open or close them, having made a few holes in the bag with a needle (before you put the object inside...). This method makes it easy to sort, store and find very small, delicate artefacts and lay them out for inspection with minimal handling. I hope this helps Best wishes for 2018 Helena Helena Jaeschke Conservation Development officer South West Museum Dveelopment Programme Disclaimer: http://www.exeter.gov.uk/disclaimer ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
