The preservation and restoration of archaeological materials for future study and public display.
Archaeological Ethics: This topic covers the principles and guidelines that should be followed while working in archaeological conservation, including the responsibility to preserve cultural heritage.
Archaeological Field Methods: This topic provides an introduction to field techniques, including surveying, excavation, stratigraphy, and documentation.
Material Science: This topic covers the composition and properties of different materials used in archaeological artifacts, such as ceramics, metals, glass, and textiles.
Conservation Theory: This topic provides an overview of the principles and practices of conservation, including preventive conservation, treatment methodologies, and ethical considerations.
Object Analysis: This topic focuses on the methods and techniques used to analyze archaeological objects, including materials analysis, microscopy, and imaging.
Documentation and Records: This topic covers the different methods and tools used to document and record archaeological objects and sites, including photography, drawing, mapping, and database management.
Conservation Ethics and Law: This topic covers the legal frameworks and regulatory requirements that govern archaeological conservation, as well as ethical considerations surrounding the treatment and display of cultural heritage.
Museum Conservation: This topic provides an introduction to the conservation of artifacts in museums, including exhibition design, storage, and handling.
Conservation Science: This topic covers the scientific principles and technical methods used in archaeological conservation, such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, microscopes, and other laboratory techniques.
Preventive Conservation: This topic focuses on the strategies and techniques used to prevent the deterioration and damage of archaeological artifacts, including environmental monitoring, pest management, and storage conditions.
Treatment Methodologies: This topic covers the different techniques used to treat and conserve archaeological artifacts, such as cleaning, stabilization, and restoration.
Risk Assessment: This topic provides an introduction to the methods used to assess risks to archaeological sites and artifacts, including threats from natural disasters, anthropogenic disturbances, and climate change.
Site Management: This topic covers the principles of site management, including ongoing conservation, monitoring, and maintenance.
Public Engagement: This topic covers the role of archaeology and archaeological conservation in public education, outreach, and cultural heritage management.
Digital Conservation: This topic provides an introduction to the use of digital technologies in archaeological conservation, including 3D scanning, virtual reality, and digital restoration.
Preventive Conservation: The primary goal of preventive conservation is to prevent deterioration or damage to archaeological sites, cultural monuments, or artifacts. It relies on the application of appropriate environmental conditions, proper storage, and handling to avoid potential damage.
Active Conservation: Active conservation focuses on the actual treatment and restoration of archaeological materials or monuments. It involves using scientific methods, such as cleaning, consolidation, and repair to preserve and extend the life of culturally significant objects.
In Situ Conservation: In situ conservation involves the protection and maintenance of archaeological sites and monuments without any relocation of artifacts or structures. This approach preserves the context and integrity of the site or construction as a whole.
Ex Situ Conservation: Ex situ conservation involves the removal and preservation of objects or structures from their original location. It is done to protect artifacts from further damage or loss due to environmental or anthropogenic factors.
Chemical Conservation: Chemical conservation is the use of chemical methods to stabilize and prevent further deterioration of objects, structures or archaeological sites. It involves identifying and addressing specific chemical reactions that are occurring in the object, and then applying appropriate chemical treatments.
Digital Conservation: Digital Conservation is a relatively new field that uses digital means of documenting and preserving cultural heritage. This includes digital restoration of damaged objects, as well as the creation of 3D models to preserve and digitally exhibit archaeological sites and monuments.
Build Conservation: Building conservation is a broad term that encompasses the conservation of historic buildings, structures, and architectural features. It involves the assessment, restoration, and repair of historic buildings to preserve both their aesthetic and functional qualities.
Material Science Conservation: Material Science Conservation applies the principles of scientific analysis to the study of archaeological materials. It involves the use of laboratory methods to identify the composition of materials and to develop preservation strategies that will enhance the longevity of the archaeological objects.
Collections Conservation: Collections conservation is the preservation of artifacts, objects, or collections maintained by institutions and private owners. This can include cleaning, stabilizing, and repairing collections to prevent further deterioration and ensure their continued survival.
Landscape Conservation: Landscape conservation is the preservation of cultural landscapes or historic sites. It involves the identification and protection of heritage sites or landscapes that have significant cultural or historic value.