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Introduction
The system of object conservation is described in this section. We had no conservation specialists for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Each unit supervisor, under the oversight of M. Kelly-Buccellati, decides wheather an object coming from excavation should be sent to the conservation room (normally smashed ceramic pots, metal objects, seals and sealings and important objects). Epigraphic material goes to G. Buccellati.
Back to top: Conservation laboratory activities for Unit J6
Of the 10 metal objects found in J6, only two are 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.
Back to top: Conservation laboratory activities for Unit J6
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. In J6 were found two large pits, were we found a lot of broken vessels. These coul be partly reconstructed and can be found in assemblages.
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Seal impressions
Delicate sealings and seal impressions are taken to the conservation lab, 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. M. Kelly-Buccellati is in charge of this task.
Back to top: Conservation laboratory activities for Unit J6