ARCHSTN014 Basics of conservation for Archaeologists

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Summer 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Antonín Šimčík (lecturer)
Ing. Mgr. Hana Rajhelová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Antonín Šimčík
Institute of Historical Sciences – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Prerequisites
The student documents his medical fitness to work with an up-to-date medical certificate in the laboratory of the Conservation Center, where chemicals are worked and handled substances (acids, bases, volatile substances, etc.) are used chemical-physical machines.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the issues of modern conservation and archaeological restoration subjects. Students will verify their theoretical knowledge during seminar exercises in the Conservation Center of the ÚHV. There will be attention devoted mainly to objects from archaeological finds made of metals, non-metallic inorganic and also organic materials. Students will try the possibilities of artefact research, preventive conservation, remedial conservation, basic restoration procedures and, of course, methods of documenting the entire intervention while respecting professional ethical rules. The area of ​​work safety and familiarization with possible risks for personnel and findings will not be neglected either.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will be able to: theoretically describe the principles of methods of conservation of archaeological finds, propose a conservation procedure for a specific find, carry out practical conservation of selected archaeological finds, to design and apply preventive conservation procedures in relation to treated findings.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction: theory, terminology, ethical standards. 2. History of conservation and restoration of archaeological finds. 3. Intervention documentation. 4. Subject research. 5. Conservation and restoration of ferrous metals. 6. Conservation and restoration of non-ferrous metals. 7. Conservation and restoration of stone. 8. Conservation and restoration of ceramics. 9. Conservation and restoration of glass. 10. Conservation and restoration of wood. 11. Conservation and restoration of leather and textiles. 12. Conservation and restoration of other organic materials. 13. Preventive conservation.
Literature
    required literature
  • Odegaard, N. et al.: Material Characterization Test for Objects or Art and Archaeology. London, 2005.
  • Kopecká, I. et al.: Preventivní ochrana sbírkových předmětů. Praha 2003.
  • Applebaum, B.: Conservation treatment metodology. Amsterdam 2007.
    recommended literature
  • Buys, S. – Oakley, V.: The Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics. Oxford 1996.Cronyn, J:M – Robinson, W. S.: Elements of Archaeological Conservation. Routledge 1990.
  • Kol autorů.: Konzervace a restaurování kovů, 648. Brno 2011.
  • Hamilton, D. L.: Methods of Conserving Archaeological Material from Underwater Sites. Texas University, 2010.
  • Davidson, S.: Conservation and Restoration of Glass. London 2003.
Teaching methods
Lecture, seminar
Assessment methods
Submission of semester work, written exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2023, Summer 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Summer 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/summer2025/ARCHSTN014