Current and Recent Projects
We are currently carrying out Investigative Conservation to a large collection of Anglo-Saxon finds from Eriswell, Lakenheath, Suffolk. During development at Lakenheath a cemetery containing c.400 graves was found.
As part of the post-excavation, the iron and copper alloy objects are cleaned to reveal any mineral preserved organics remaining on or around the metal work. Any organic remains are then charted, recorded and sent for analysis and interpretation.
What are mineral preserved organics? When a metal object is buried it will corrode, and depending on the burial conditions, the corrosion products are absorbed into any organic materials nearby. The organic remains are thus preserved.
One might find on the surface of a metal object : textiles, leather, wood, bone, horn, ivory ; environmental evidence such as charcoal, insect remains, plant remains, seeds, residues from burial such as hair, skin. During investigation it is possible to reveal coatings, inlays and solder which may have shown up when the objects were x-rayed.
Where would you expect to find organic remains? Organic componants of objects and organic materials lying close to the objects might be found such as; textiles from clothing, and drapes, knife handles and sheaths, sword hilts and scabbards including fittings, spear shafts, shield boards and fittings, belt remains, purse remains and contents, bucket staves and caskets or coffins.
Why look for mineral preserved organics? These elusive and transient materials do not last but can give a wealth of information about the person the object was associated with. The status of the person, their age and sometimes trade can be confirmed. Information about the society in which the person lived can be gained. Did they trade abroad? What burial practices were they using? What time of year were they buried and was the burial soon after death? How did the living relatives perceive the deceased? These are a few of the questions which might be answered.
