Heritage conservation
Unearthed archaeological remains
Two categories of remains are uncovered.
The archaeological furniture proper definition, which includes the objects shaped by human activity or artifacts.
The artefacts are of varied nature: stone, glass, metal, terracotta, organic material of animal or vegetable origin (bone, leather, textile, basketry, wood etc).
Natural and biological materials, also called ecofacts. These are human or animal bones, seeds and sediments collected during the excavation.
Conservation conditions must be adapted to the nature of the materials and sensitive materials are distinguished from non-sensitive materials.
The route of movable archaeological remains
The classification, marking and inventory of archaeological remains are fundamental for the restitution of knowledge, which is why they are carried out from the field phase of archaeological research.
Inventories make it possible to identify, reference, locate remains and specify their status.
Objects and fragments are packaged by nature of material by applying standards to ensure their conservation, their identification and their consultation. Collections are kept in bins of inert and chemically stable materials with good mechanical strength. “Isolations”, objects and fragments requiring suitable packaging due to their constituent material(s), state of preservation or form, are kept in watertight boxes or custom-packed bins and in spaces where the climate is compatible with their good conservation.
The objects thus preserved are accessible for study by researchers on request. The most complete and museum-relevant objects can be deposited and displayed in the museums archaeological sites in the region or lent as part ofexhibitions temporary regional or national.