Shipwreck Conservation

Above are two dugout canoes conserved by the Society. The large canoe to the right is approximately 150 years old. The small fragment to the left is from a dugout canoe that is over 1,800 years old!

Conservation is a scientifically designed strategy to preserve waterlogged artifacts from loss, injury, decay, or waste. Using established procedures, an artifact is initially preserved by controlling the surrounding environment to minimize decay. While in the field, this means keeping the artifact wet. Back at the lab, conservation procedures additionally restore and dehydrate water-soaked artifacts in a controlled environment, stabilizing them against further deterioration.

Artifacts found on a shipwreck site can be made from a wide range of materials. Wood and iron are common, although pottery, glass, textiles, leather, bone, copper, and brass artifacts may be found as well. Each of these materials requires special consideration and different conservation techniques.

Conservation is an expensive, time consuming process. Moreover, conserved artifacts must be stored or displayed in a controlled environment that will ensure their long-term preservation, thus guaranteeing that they will be available for public viewing and further research.