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Conservation
| The conservation of artifacts from archaeological sites, particularly underwater sites, requires equipment and expertise different from traditional fine arts conservation. Archaeological artifacts are often extremely fragile and subject to rapid decay once they are removed from the environment in which they have rested for hundreds or even thousands of years. The artifacts must be stabilized, cleaned, and conserved for future study and exhibition. Treatments include removal of harmful contaminants such as salts, structural support of fragile artifacts such as leather and textiles, and stabilization of oxidized metals and water-saturated, degraded wood. |
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