Our conservators deal with delicate or vulnerable objects both on site and in our specialist lab based in London. Our work includes emergency lifting of complex burial groups from sites, micro-excavation and recording of lifted remains. We can quickly respond to urgent or unexpected discoveries.
We microexcavate remains under the microscope and stabilise vulnerable materials to prepare them for finds assessments and analysis. Our work includes selective investigative cleaning of finds and reconstruction of pottery, glass and objects for illustration and display.
Our team is particularly experienced in conservation of mineral-preserved and wet organic material. Our specialist lab includes freeze-drying facilities for the conservation of leather and small wooden artefacts.
We also undertake work on larger items such as coffins, cauldrons and large ceramic vessels, mosaics and wall plaster from archaeological contexts. We offer high-quality digital X-ray of archaeological objects, with capacity to assess larger items such as soil blocks. We can also arrange CT scanning and X-ray of outsized artefacts with partner organisations if required.
We provide post excavation assessments for archaeological publication projects as well as condition surveys of archaeological collections for museums and archives.
We advise on options for scientific analysis and sampling and work in partnership with scientists in universities and heritage institutions.
We also give conservation advice and support for archaeological displays and loans, including advice on case materials, environmental conditions and monitoring, mounts and object marking, condition reporting and object packing.
