The British History Podcast 69 – Staffordshire Hoard: Conservation with Deborah Cane
Jan 15, 2013
Deborah Cane, Conservation expert for the Staffordshire Hoard, discusses the preservation process of the hoard, including artifact conservation and restoration techniques, the impact of light on object decay, computer modeling, cleaning and preserving damaged pieces, and the extensive restoration and funding support received for the project.
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Stylistic Variety Unlocks Research
- The hoard shows a wider stylistic range than previous finds like Sutton Hoo, not just a single high-quality style.
- That range makes the collection unusually valuable for understanding regional and craft variation in the period.
Document Before You Touch
- Document condition before treatment by photographing, measuring, weighing, and noting fragile areas.
- Clean and stabilise only to the level needed to reveal original surfaces and avoid unnecessary restoration.
Control Humidity And Consolidate
- Keep metal finds in a dry, low-humidity environment to prevent corrosion and tarnish.
- Consolidate friable copper corrosion with tested conservation-grade consolidants to stabilise mineralised surfaces.