Preservation, conservation and popularization of archaeological heritage in museums

Estimation of the situation of archaeological collections will take place in Pskov and Tartu; finds that need conservation + those added as a result of current field works will be conserved. In the archaeological collections of St. Petersburg and Pskov the estimation of archaeological textile finds will be carried out by specialists from Tartu. Advices will be provided, if needed. Within the project, find conservation possibilities will be improved in Pskov, find storage conditions in Riga (repository of archaeological materials, plans etc.). The finds storage conditions will be improved in Aluksne and Pskov.

Outputs:

The main output is new inventory for conservation labs and find collections. The planned items for Pskov are: laboratory furniture for storage of the exhibits and restoration materials (laboratory cupboard, 2 restoration tables, 2 draft hoods); laboratory equipment (distilling and drying apparatuses, laboratory balance, dryness tester, engraving machine, restorer workbench, binocular microscope, mini plant for laser welding, ultrasonic sink, 3 magnifying glasses, electronic calibrator and electric stove). Means for find storage include archive shelving and means for climate-control (2 thermal hygrometers with radio signal, radio modification, 2 air driers, 4 air saturators, 3 thermal hygrometers for transportation) for archaeological depository and means for the estimating the situation of finds (binocular microscope with accessories, metallographic microscope with accessories, mobile digital camera-microscope, 3 magnifying glasses with lamps, digital sliding).

In Aluksne researcher’s room, finds’ first-time cleaning room and researchers’ room will be re-constructed. A conservator will be employed in Tartu and Pskov; finds will be conserved also in conservation laboratories of Latvian National History Museum and Daugavpils local history and art museum. New computers and software will be purchased for Aluksne (2) and a computer with printer + 3 items of software for Riga. In Aluksne Museum a new archaeology exposition will be designed.

Results:

Improving the conservation facilities is a key issue in the development of the Network in Pskov. It makes a firm basis for the conservation of finds gained from the rescue excavations in Pskov and enables to preserve them. It becomes possible to increase the conservation capacity to ca. 1000 items per year for metal finds, and to 40 for organic (textile and leather) finds in the partners’ laboratories. The work conditions will be improved for 3 people in Pskov and for 3 in Aluksne. The conservators in Pskov (3 people) get the possibility to use modern equipment.

Long-term impact:

Conserved finds are potential part of future museum expositions, and an important as source material for archaeological research. Good status of collections contributes to the development of contacts between archaeologists and provides attractiveness for the owner of collections, and also for the region as a whole.