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About Materials Conservation
The Division specialises in the preservation of archaeological and ethnographic objects; rare books and archives; and, biology and geology collections. The activities are divided into four major areas: preventive, treatment, research and outreach. The preventive program looks at preventing damage to all of the Museum's collections and includes: environmental monitoring and control; pest control; packing and transport of fragile objects; disaster preparedness planning; object handling; and, storage systems and individual storage mounts. The treatment program looks at stabilising the condition of significant individual objects of the Anthropology and Natural Science Collections. This includes preparation of objects for loan to other museums and keeping places and also for exhibition within the Australian Museum. Our research program is for the development of new techniques and materials for the preventive and treatment programs. The outreach program is for the provision of advice and training on preservation of cultural material for Australian Aboriginal communities and museums and cultural centres in South East Asia and the Pacific. Our publication, Care of Collections, provides information for people working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural collections. |
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Materials Conservation aims to preserve the Museum's collections and improve their accessibility to the community. We work with other museums, cultural groups and the public on the care of cultural heritage. Ethical considerations and respect for communities' cultural property are always a major factor in our decisions.
