What can a conservator do to help maximize the information of a sites artifacts?
During the fieldwork phase of an archaeological project, a conservator can assist with special lifts, train excavation staff, and assist with the recovery, documentation, initial sorting, packaging, and transport of the artifacts. All of these tasks, if performed correctly, will maximize the information retained with the artifacts as they make their way from the field to the laboratory. If fragments are separated at the point of excavation, or objects are mishandled and broken or cleaned incorrectly, the information potential of the artifact may be compromised. A conservator is able to assist in the field with some of these tasks to ensure that information is not lost. Post excavation, a conservator can further assist with prioritizing the artifacts for treatment, analysis, and research. The treatment of an artifact can provide information not only about morphology but also about use, adaptation and even post-deposition history. While the “cool” artifacts are often those selected first
