This work examined the use of passivation polymers in the conservation of severely damaged paper. It specifically investigated the use of this functional polymer treatment to address the issues of damage to paper caused by waterlogging, mold, and internal acidity. Several experiments were designed and conducted to examine the effects of the polymers in the conservation of papers compromised by these conditions. Paper artifacts from the Bonfire Memorabilia Collection were selected and conserved using treatment protocols that included the use of the passivation polymers. The conservation of some of the damaged papers from this culturally important site demonstrated the effectiveness of the polymer treatment in real-world conservation situations. This dissertation established that the use of passivation polymers adds strength and stability to severely damaged paper.

A Musealização da Arqueologia e a Conservação arqueológica são os eixos estruturantes desta tese, que busca delinear o relacionamento entre a Arqueologia, Museologia e Conservação na produção acadêmica nacional e nas experiências desenvolvidas na Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Por meio de análises bibliométricas, foram quantificadas e analisadas teses, dissertações e publicações em eventos a fim de mapear e avaliar a construção de conhecimento dessas temáticas. Também foram entrevistados profissionais das áreas e realizado o acompanhamento das atividades dos pesquisadores da UFPel, compondo um quadro de potencialidades e limites das interfaces disciplinares. O diagnóstico de aproximações e distanciamentos entre as três áreas foi fundamental para a compreensão de diferentes momentos e interlocuções, propiciando o entendimento do contexto atual no que se refere às perspectivas para a preservação do patrimônio arqueológico. No ambiente universitário, laboratórios de Arqueologia, projetos de pesquisa, programa museológico e atuações de diferentes profissionais (arqueólogos, museólogos e conservadores) complementam e tornam complexo esse cenário. A partir dessas análises e articulando-se com as legislações e recomendações acerca do patrimônio arqueológico nacional, apresentaram-se alguns aprendizados e premissas para a gestão multidisciplinar do patrimônio arqueológico. A premissa básica estabelece que as três áreas precisam estar em patamares equânimes para articularem-se por meio de conceitos e pressupostos teórico-metodológicos condizentes com os desafios patrimoniais contemporâneos. Dessa forma, aliando as áreas de forma equilibrada, torna-se possível empreender a pesquisa arqueológica de maneira integral, com planejamentos prévios e interdisciplinares embasados na cadeia operatória de procedimentos museológicos, que envolve a salvaguarda (conservação e documentação) e a comunicação (exposições e ações educativo-culturais). Assim, as pesquisas arqueológicas vindouras, bem como as já empreendidas e os acervos arqueológicos salvaguardados em diferentes instituições, têm o potencial de ensejar ações multidisciplinares que oportunizam a proteção e promoção do patrimônio arqueológico. Essas ações, articuladas por um viés preservacionista, que se orienta por perspectivas participativas, multivocais e compartilhadas, possibilita que o patrimônio exerça sua função social na contemporaneidade. / The Musealization of Archeology and Archaeological Conservation are the structuring axes of this thesis, which purpose is to outline the relationship between Archeology, Museology, and Conservation in the national academic scenario and in the experiences developed at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel). Theses, dissertations, and publications in events were quantified and analyzed through bibliometric analyzes in order to map and evaluate the construction of knowledge of these topics. Also, professionals of the areas were interviewed, as well as the monitoring of the activities of UFPel researchers, composing a framework of potentialities and limits of the disciplinary interfaces. The diagnosis of approximations and detachment between the three areas was fundamental for the understanding of the different moments and interlocutions, providing an understanding of the current context regarding the perspectives for the preservation of the archaeological patrimony. In the university environment, Archeology laboratories, research projects, museological program, and performances of different professionals (archaeologists, museologists and conservatives) complement and turn this scenario into a complex one. From these analyzes, and in articulation with the legislations and recommendations on the national archaeological heritage, some learnings and premises were presented for the multidisciplinary management of the archaeological heritage. The basic premise establishes that the three areas must be at equal levels in order to articulate themselves through concepts and theoretical-methodological assumptions aligned with contemporary patrimonial challenges. Therefore, by combining these areas in a balanced way it is possible to undertake archaeological research in an integral manner, with previous and interdisciplinary planning based on the operational chain of museum procedures, which involve safeguarding (conservation and documentation) and communication (exhibitions and cultural/educational actions). Thus, upcoming archaeological researches, as well as those already undertaken and archaeological collections safeguarded in different institutions, have the potential to lead to multidisciplinary actions that invite the protection and promotion of archaeological heritage. These actions, articulated through a preservationist bias, guided by participatory, multivocal, and shared perspectives enable the heritage to exercise its social role in contemporaneity.

The conservation of cultural heritage responds to the necessities of understanding the site’s history, developments and key values. Archaeological heritage comprises tangible and intangible evidence so conservation operates equally on the two main domains, archaeology and architecture, which are inseparable and feed each other. Moreover, urban dimension is essentially included where the cultural heritage presents interesting urban settings linked to the architectural and cultural values. This thesis addresses all these important issues with the aim to identify, preserve and present the cultural values of archaeological sites in Syria, which are exceptionally rich in representing most of the Western ancient civilisations. The thesis focuses on the City of Ugarit, the capital of an important Bronze Age civilisation. The thesis aims to establish a poignant conservation concept on different scales, ranging from micro single architectural unit, the house, to the macro scale of the entire city. The study probes the ways of employing archaeology and architecture to produce conservation principles and architectural approaches for identifying, preserving and presenting the site’s cultural values. These procedures expose tangible and intangible values of the city, facilitate strong engagement of the visitors with the archaeological ruins, and simultaneously protect the original fabric from the visitation flux. The study is built upon understanding Ugarit’s archaeology, architecture and even social aspects, combining them in the analysis of each key area (Royal quarters, Domestic areas and Temples) to form well-founded interpretations and prioritise values. The proposal eventually combines all studied areas in a comprehensive narrative, which feeds the urban proposal for the whole city. In understanding the very rich and complex sites in Ugarit, a combination of in situ surveys, systematic recording, extensive analysis of literature and archaeological reports, and architectural reading of the fabric are carried out. This framework is a coherent base for the architectural intervention choices, which attempt to balance preservation implications and new materiality. Building virtual models of the proposed interventions enables the test of volumes, materiality, choices and the overall architectural experience. These models present the proposed interventions together with the original ruins. Therefore, the models are a great vehicle to transmit the reality of the conservation proposal and enhance its perception.

The excavation of Sieur de la Salle's ship, La Belle, yielded a large amount of waterlogged rope requiring conservation. A history of hemp and rope manufacture is reviewed to assist in the identification of the materials and rope-work recovered from the La Belle, as well as to assist in selecting an appropriate conservation treatment. A summary of several methods used to conserve cordage is presented. Time has shown that not all of these treatment methods have remained viable options, and that continued study and experimentation are needed so that the conservator has the tools to develop an appropriate conservation plan for each artifact. The majority of La Belle's cordage was conserved using the passivation polymers method developed by Dr. C. Wayne Smith and Dr. Donny L. Hamilton, both of Texas A&M University, in conjunction with Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan. An experiment applying knowledge gleaned from the passivation polymers process to polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation was conducted in an attempt to stabilize the PEG within the rope. The results were good; the rope retained some flexibility and appears stable with a slightly darker color than with silicone oil.

A Musealização da Arqueologia e a Conservação arqueológica são os eixos estruturantes desta tese, que busca delinear o relacionamento entre a Arqueologia, Museologia e Conservação na produção acadêmica nacional e nas experiências desenvolvidas na Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Por meio de análises bibliométricas, foram quantificadas e analisadas teses, dissertações e publicações em eventos a fim de mapear e avaliar a construção de conhecimento dessas temáticas. Também foram entrevistados profissionais das áreas e realizado o acompanhamento das atividades dos pesquisadores da UFPel, compondo um quadro de potencialidades e limites das interfaces disciplinares. O diagnóstico de aproximações e distanciamentos entre as três áreas foi fundamental para a compreensão de diferentes momentos e interlocuções, propiciando o entendimento do contexto atual no que se refere às perspectivas para a preservação do patrimônio arqueológico. No ambiente universitário, laboratórios de Arqueologia, projetos de pesquisa, programa museológico e atuações de diferentes profissionais (arqueólogos, museólogos e conservadores) complementam e tornam complexo esse cenário. A partir dessas análises e articulando-se com as legislações e recomendações acerca do patrimônio arqueológico nacional, apresentaram-se alguns aprendizados e premissas para a gestão multidisciplinar do patrimônio arqueológico. A premissa básica estabelece que as três áreas precisam estar em patamares equânimes para articularem-se por meio de conceitos e pressupostos teórico-metodológicos condizentes com os desafios patrimoniais contemporâneos. Dessa forma, aliando as áreas de forma equilibrada, torna-se possível empreender a pesquisa arqueológica de maneira integral, com planejamentos prévios e interdisciplinares embasados na cadeia operatória de procedimentos museológicos, que envolve a salvaguarda (conservação e documentação) e a comunicação (exposições e ações educativo-culturais). Assim, as pesquisas arqueológicas vindouras, bem como as já empreendidas e os acervos arqueológicos salvaguardados em diferentes instituições, têm o potencial de ensejar ações multidisciplinares que oportunizam a proteção e promoção do patrimônio arqueológico. Essas ações, articuladas por um viés preservacionista, que se orienta por perspectivas participativas, multivocais e compartilhadas, possibilita que o patrimônio exerça sua função social na contemporaneidade. / The Musealization of Archeology and Archaeological Conservation are the structuring axes of this thesis, which purpose is to outline the relationship between Archeology, Museology, and Conservation in the national academic scenario and in the experiences developed at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel). Theses, dissertations, and publications in events were quantified and analyzed through bibliometric analyzes in order to map and evaluate the construction of knowledge of these topics. Also, professionals of the areas were interviewed, as well as the monitoring of the activities of UFPel researchers, composing a framework of potentialities and limits of the disciplinary interfaces. The diagnosis of approximations and detachment between the three areas was fundamental for the understanding of the different moments and interlocutions, providing an understanding of the current context regarding the perspectives for the preservation of the archaeological patrimony. In the university environment, Archeology laboratories, research projects, museological program, and performances of different professionals (archaeologists, museologists and conservatives) complement and turn this scenario into a complex one. From these analyzes, and in articulation with the legislations and recommendations on the national archaeological heritage, some learnings and premises were presented for the multidisciplinary management of the archaeological heritage. The basic premise establishes that the three areas must be at equal levels in order to articulate themselves through concepts and theoretical-methodological assumptions aligned with contemporary patrimonial challenges. Therefore, by combining these areas in a balanced way it is possible to undertake archaeological research in an integral manner, with previous and interdisciplinary planning based on the operational chain of museum procedures, which involve safeguarding (conservation and documentation) and communication (exhibitions and cultural/educational actions). Thus, upcoming archaeological researches, as well as those already undertaken and archaeological collections safeguarded in different institutions, have the potential to lead to multidisciplinary actions that invite the protection and promotion of archaeological heritage. These actions, articulated through a preservationist bias, guided by participatory, multivocal, and shared perspectives enable the heritage to exercise its social role in contemporaneity.

A conservação de acervos arqueológicos durante muitos anos foi uma temática pouco difundida entre os profissionais e cursos de arqueologia, e mesmo nas disciplinas sobre museus, o enfoque costumava ser voltado majoritariamente para as exposições, não oferecendo as informações necessárias para que se exercesse a curadoria e o gerenciamento de coleções em campo e laboratório. Contudo, o atual cenário nacional tem trazido urgência para os debates sobre o tema, visto o crescente número de coleções provenientes de pesquisa acadêmica e da arqueologia preventiva, deixando as reservas técnicas lotadas e muitas vezes sem oferecer as condições necessárias de guarda, fazendo com que os materiais arqueológicos se acumulem e se degradem com velocidade aumentada. Nesse contexto, esta dissertação tem por objetivo verificar, através de uma pesquisa-ação, as práticas da Musealização da Arqueologia nas instituições museais que salvaguardam acervos arqueológicos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, identificando como desenvolveram os procedimentos conservativos que estão sendo empregados e se sentem a necessidade de mudá-los ou potencializá-los por não responderem às expectativas. Deste modo, foram realizados questionários e observação participante com os responsáveis técnicos pelas coleções, a fim de compreender como tem se dado a tomada de escolha das metodologias aplicadas e, posteriormente, um breve diagnóstico do estado de conservação do acervo, por fim, prestou-se assistência, mediante o interesse dessas instituições, para elaboração de protocolos, procedimentos ou atividades regidas pela premissa da preservação do patrimônio arqueológico. / The archaeological conservation\'s collections, for many years was a little known thematic between the professionals and archaeology courses, even in museum classes, the focus use to be mostly on exhibitions, not providing the information needed for the exercise of curation and management of collections in the field and laboratory. However, the current national scenario has brought urgency to the debates on the subject, given the growing number of collections from academic research and preventive archeology, leaving the technical reserves crowded and often without offering the necessary conditions of guard, the archaeological materials accumulate and degrade with increased velocity. In this context, this dissertation aims to verify, through the action research, the practices of the Musealization of Archeology in museum institutions that safeguard archaeological collections in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, identifying how they have developed the conservative procedures that are being used and if they feel the need to change them, or empower them by not responding to expectations. Thus, was realized questionnaires and participatory observation with the technics responsible for the collections, in order to understand how the choice of applied methodologies has been chosen and, subsequently, a brief diagnosis of the conservation status of the collection, and finally, the assistance provided, through the interest of these institutions, in the elaboration of protocols, procedures or activities governed by for the preservation of the archaeological heritage

The current state of degradation of most archaeological collections has compromised the research and protection of this heritage. To respond to these problems, some initiatives that seek to modify the current practices of preservation of archaeological collections are emerging, as the fieldwork in the Charqueada Santa Barbara archaeological site ( Pelotas, RS, Brazil ), linked to the research project Pampa Negro: Arqueologia da Escravidão na Região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul (1780-1888), which has brought together a multidisciplinary team to talk about the praxis of each area and to think of appropriate solutions for the better management and protection of archaeological collections. In the context of the conservation, protocols for preventive and curative intervention of different types of materials were developed and tested in field and laboratory. Among the types of material recovered in the excavation, metal objects, especially iron, are those most susceptible to deterioration due to the process of recovery and to the speed at which the corrosive processes occur as well as the complexity of the products resulting from these. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze, from a study of the interface between conservation and archeology, how the conservation procedures performed in the field and laboratory in the ferrous artifacts contributed to the preservation of archaeological collections. It was expected to verify which interventions enable a better conservation of archaeological origin and of the associated information material culture, and disseminate the need for greater integration between the experts related to the safeguard of the archaeological heritage areas. It was concluded that conservation practices directly assist in the preservation of archaeological collections in its material, documentary and symbolic aspects. Therefore, the conservator has become more of a manager of these collections, in a performance that, increasingly, is turning into an agent crucial to the management of the archaeological heritage. / O estado atual de degradação de grande parte dos acervos arqueológicos tem comprometido as pesquisas e a salvaguarda destes bens. Destas problemáticas vêm surgindo iniciativas que buscam a modificação das práticas atuais de preservação dos acervos arqueológicos, como o trabalho de campo do sítio Charqueada Santa Bárbara (Pelotas, RS, Brasil), vinculado ao projeto O Pampa Negro: Arqueologia da Escravidão na Região Meridional do Rio Grande do Sul (1780-1888), que reuniu uma equipe multidisciplinar a fim de dialogar a respeito da práxis de cada área e pensar de forma conjunta soluções adequadas para um melhor gerenciamento e salvaguarda dos acervos arqueológicos. No âmbito da conservação, foram elaborados e testados em campo e em laboratório protocolos de intervenção preventiva e curativa para distintos materiais. Dentre os materiais recuperados na escavação, os objetos metálicos, em especial os de ferro, estão entre aqueles mais suscetíveis à deterioração decorrente deste processo, em função da velocidade em que ocorrem os processos corrosivos e da complexidade destes. Neste contexto, o objetivo da presente pesquisa foi analisar, a partir de um estudo da interface entre Conservação e Arqueologia, de que forma os procedimentos de conservação realizados em campo e em laboratório nos artefatos em ferro contribuíram para a preservação dos acervos arqueológicos. Almejou-se verificar as intervenções que possibilitam a melhor conservação da cultura material de origem arqueológica e da informação associada, e difundir a necessidade de uma maior integração entre os especialistas das áreas relacionadas à salvaguarda do patrimônio arqueológico. Concluiu-se que as práticas de conservação auxiliam diretamente na preservação dos acervos arqueológicos, em suas instâncias material, documental e simbólica. O conservador vem se configurando, portanto, como mais um gestor destes bens, em uma atuação que, cada vez mais, se torna indispensável ao gerenciamento do patrimônio arqueológico.

[ES] Este trabajo tiene como objetivo investigar los métodos de conservación in situ aplicables a los hallazgos arqueológicos de los loberos-balleneros, los cuales están compuestos por material proveniente del archipiélago Shetland del Sur (Antártida Occidental). Los loberos-balleneros fueron marineros llevados al territorio por compañías de caza de mamíferos marinos en los siglos XVIII y XIX. Esos cazadores habitaban temporalmente en refugios construidos en la Antártida. Las huellas que dejaron se caracterizan por la presencia de materiales muy frágiles, que se conservan debido a las condiciones ambientales particulares del continente antártico. Desde la primera expedición de excavación hecha por el Laboratorio de Estudios Antárticos en Ciencias Humanas de la Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais (Leach), en 2010, un eje de investigación ha estado articulando la metodología de excavación a la conservación in situ. Este eje ha dado paso a este proyecto de investigación doctoral desarrollado en la Universitat Politècnica de València. / [CA] Aquest treball té com a objectiu investigar els mètodes de conservació in situ aplicables a lestroballes arqueològiques dels loberos-balleners, els quals estan compostos per material provinent de l'arxipèlag Shetland de Sud (Antàrtica Occidental). Els loberos-balleners van ser mariners duts al territori per companyies de caça de mamífers marins en els segles XVIII i XIX. Aquests caçadors habitaven temporalment en refugis construïts a l'Antàrtica. Les petjades que van deixar es caracteritzen per la presència de materials molt fràgils, que només es conserven a causa de les condicions ambientals particulars del continent antàrtic. Des de la primera expedició d'excavació feta pel Laboratori d'Estudis Antàrtics en Ciències Humanes de la Universitat Federal de Mines Gerais (Leach), el 2010, un eix d'investigació ha estat articulant la metodologia d'excavació a la conservació in situ. Aquest eix ha donat pas a aquest projecte de recerca doctoral desenvolupat a la Universitat Politècnica de València. / [EN] The proposal aims investigate the methods of the in situ preservation of the whalers' archaeological remains, concerning to the South Shetland Archipelago (Occidental Antarctica). The whalers were sailors taken to the territory by companies hunting of marine mammals of the 18th and 19th centuries. These hunters lived temporarily in shelters made in Antarctica. These traces are characterized by the presence of very fragile materials, that only preserved by the specific environmental conditions provided by the Antarctic context. Since the first excavation expedition made by of the Antarctic Studies Laboratory in Human Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Leach) in 2010, an axis of investigation is articulating the methodology excavation with the in situ conservation, which has become this PhD research project, developed together with the Universitat Politècnica de València. / La investigación ha recibido apoyo de la FAPEMIG, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Proyecto APQ 01366-17), del PROANTAR, Programa Antártico Brasileiro, y se ha llevado a cabo gracias al Programa de Doutorado Pleno no Exterior da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior‒CAPES (Brasil), por medio del Programa de Doutorado Pleno no Exterior de 2015. / De Alkmim Radicchi, G. (2022). Conservación in situ en el Proyecto Arqueología Antártica. Desafíos bajo el paralelo 60°S [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/182647