J6

The Eastern End of the Plaza and the Betili (Version 1a)
J6 Synthetic View / Conservation

Conservation laboratory activities for Unit J6

Patrizia Camatta – July 2025

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Introduction

For the 2008 and 2009 seasons we had no conservation specialists.

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Metals

Of the 10 metal objects found in J6, only two are intact/whole. These are a copper-alloy needle i14 and a copper-alloy pin i30. Both were encrusted with soil and had oxidised surfaces. During the last excavation seasons we did have any specialist for metal conservation, waiting for next years. The objects are in the conservation lab. The other metal objects were taken for chemical analysis

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Ceramics

The ceramic material that needs a treatment is mainly composed of vessels that are found broken in the ground but almost complete and can be reconstructed.

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Seal impressions

Delicate sealing impressions that in 90% of the cases are taken to conservation, where they are left to dry and then are cleaned. Depending on the quality of the clay and on its hardness, they can be very hard and easy to clean, or extremely crumbly and difficult. To clean these, a magnifiyng lense and in some cases a microscope are usually necessary, together with scalpels, dental tools, needles.

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