Preservation of Clovis Archaeological Materials at the Arizona State Museum

FAIN: PG-50797-10

Arizona Board of Regents (Tucson, AZ 85721-0073)
Nancy Odegaard (Project Director: May 2009 to October 2011)

An assessment of the Arizona State Museum's Clovis archaeological collection of more than 27,000 objects, dated 13,000 years ago, and associated excavation field notes and other documentation. A conservator experienced in the preservation of paleoanthropological materials will assess the collection and recommend storage supplies, and the museum's staff will rehouse the objects.

The Arizona State Museum (ASM) seeks to preserve its Clovis archaeological materials. The proposed project includes: (1) a conservation assessment of the collection and its current environmental conditions by a conservator specializing in paleo-archaeological materials, (2) discussions with paleo-archaeologists on issues of access and preservation for research collections, and (3) the re-housing of these artifacts to appropriate containers in existing museum cabinets and shelves. Current conditions for the collections have increased deterioration and compromised collections management activities. Preservation and re-housing of these items will make them more accessible for both scientific research and interpretive uses.