Bags, Biomarkers, and Biographies: Keeping up with Archaeological Science in the Collections Repository

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Ideas, Ethical Ideals, and Museum Practice in North American Archaeological Collections" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Walk through any archaeological collection and you walk through a historical archive of collections storage practices. Best practices for collections storage evolve as materials science evolves, and storage decisions are realigned to maximize research potential. However, determining appropriate parameters for archaeological collections storage is complicated not only by varied research interests, but increasing concern about sample damage or contamination across diverse archaeometric methods. Given that storage history can play a major role in sample viability, collections managers have a crucial role to play in this evolving field. Concerned about the disconnect between archaemetric research needs and collections storage decision-making, we interviewed thirteen researchers about nine different archaeometric methods--interview questions focused on issues of sample integrity/viability, potential causes of contamination, and how storage decision-making can impact research results. We share researcher insights about appropriate sample storage, highlight the need for more consistent dialogue between archaeological researchers and collections stewards, and suggest avenues for further research.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Ideas, Ethical Ideals, and Museum Practice in North American Archaeological Collections   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38972.0