The CIoA Collections: Assessment and Preservation Training

FAIN: PG-287855-22

UCLA; Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA 90024-4201)
Willemina Z. Wendrich (Project Director: January 2022 to present)

A general preservation assessment of approximately 323 archaeological and ethnographic objects, as well as a preservation workshop, environmental monitoring of the new collections space, and the purchase of archival storage supplies.

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology (CIoA) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) requests $8853 to support a general preservation assessment of newly acquired collections and education and training in preservation and collections care. In 2021 the CIoA took stewardship of several collections comprised of archaeological and ethnographic objects which are the focus of this project. The grant will be used to: 1) perform a general preservation assessment of the site and collections; 2) provide a one-day workshop on basic preservation techniques and collections care for CIoA faculty, staff, and students; 3) conduct environmental monitoring of the new collections space; and 4) purchase archival storage supplies. The project activities will be conducted by Vanessa Muros, an objects conservator who is currently a full-time staff member at the UCLA CIoA.

Associated Products

Environmental Monitoring Report for the Waystation Collection Storage Area (Report)
Title: Environmental Monitoring Report for the Waystation Collection Storage Area
Author: Vanessa Muros
Abstract: This report describes the results of a year-long monitoring project (1/3/2023-1/5/2024) of areas where the Waystation Initiative collection was stored at the Cotsen Institute of Archeology (CIoA). The equipment and supplies purchased were funded by an NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. The monitoring measured the temperature, relative humidity (RH), light levels, and airborne pollutants in the Waystation collection storage room (A163). Monitoring was also conducted in a storage room within the administrative offices of the CIoA (A222B) that was used as a temporary storage area for the collection while A163 was being retrofitted for artifact storage. Described below are the results of the monitoring program, observations, and recommendations made to create an appropriate storage environment for the collection and ensure its preservation while temporarily stewarded at the CIoA.
Date: 3/4/2024
Access Model: Internal report

Caring for Collections: Preserving the Waystation Initiative Collection (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Caring for Collections: Preserving the Waystation Initiative Collection
Abstract: This workshop will provide an introduction to the basics of caring for collections using the Waystation Initiative collection as a case study. It will focus on preventive conservation and the best practices for artifact storage. Topics will include the agents of deterioration, monitoring the storage environment and mitigation, materials for storage, and object handling. It will draw on general collections care policies as well as the results of the general preservation assessment and the environmental monitoring of the Waystation collections storage area. Recommendations for the storage of specific materials in the collection will also be provided. This workshop is open to Cotsen affiliated faculty, staff, and students.
Author: Vanessa Muros
Date: 3/6/2024
Location: Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, UCLA

CIoA Preservation Needs Assessment (Report)
Title: CIoA Preservation Needs Assessment
Author: Vanessa uros
Abstract: A preservation assessment was conducted at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology (CIoA) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A new initiative was established at the institute, the Waystation Initiative, that facilitates voluntary returns for institutions and private individuals so that cultural heritage objects can be restituted to their country of origin or descendent community. As part of the return process, items are temporarily stored at the CIoA. The assessment was conducted to aid the staff in preservation planning for the collections they are currently stewarding and those that will be arriving in the future. This is the first preservation assessment conducted and since the program is new, many policies and practices have not been created or established. Since the creation of the Waystation Initiative at the CIoA, the small group staff and faculty have been committed to preserving the collections they are temporarily stewarding and ensuring that the cultural objects are cared for using the best preservation practices.
Date: 4/3/2023

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