Before Digging Begins

 

Every archaeological project involves planning prior to excavation. Including a conservator in the early stages will save time and money and insure objects are not damaged during removal. Knowledge of the site, its materials and the expected condition of artifacts will help the conservator plan treatment during and after excavation

In the Fall of 1992, a multi-disciplinary team that included archaeologists, archaeological conservators, forensic anthropologists, geophysicists, nuclear physicists, engineers, pollen analysts, and atmospheric scientists assembled in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. Timothy B. Riordan and Henry M. Miller served as project directors. The common goal of the team was to recover these unique coffins while preserving their contents so as to answer as many research questions as possible. Within was valuable information about the colonial inhabitants of St. Mary’s City and their society and environment.

Before the project began, members discussed the goals of the project, the line of communication, and members’ roles, including the role of the conservator and the conservation budget.