Artifacts

Solving a Shipwreck Puzzle One Artifact at a Time

amy.gress2015-05-27T08:00:36-04:00May 27th, 2015|

One of the most recent artifacts I have begun conserving is again an unexpected find. It is also a fitting item for the Storm Wreck as it is a microcosm of what has been found so far. One of my job responsibilities is to perform public education while conserving objects. This typically means cleaning artifacts outside and interacting with visitors and answering their questions. Tuesday through Friday I usually work on concretions that either have [...]

Conserving Lead Artifacts from Storm Wreck

amy.gress2015-04-29T08:00:36-04:00April 29th, 2015|

Perhaps the easiest material to recognize while conserving is lead. It is easily distinguishable when excavated and handled due to its extreme density. Divers mostly know when they are picking up lead versus cast iron. None more so than the large deck pump recovered in 2011, which weighs nearly 300 pounds. Lead deck pump after excavation. Lead artifacts are also easy to pick out after excavation during the X-ray process. They show up [...]

Surprise Finds in Conservation

amy.gress2015-03-25T08:00:46-04:00March 25th, 2015|

Artifacts are not always readily recognizable when looking at the mass of sand and shell that is brought up. We take X-rays of the concretion to see if there are any artifacts of interest or something unique within. If there are items we would like to work on, we try to identify what the artifact is and what to expect when chiseling off the concretion. This, however, primarily limits us to whatever shows up the [...]

Solving a Shipwreck Puzzle One Artifact at a Time

Conserving Lead Artifacts from Storm Wreck

Surprise Finds in Conservation

We are open 9:00 am - 6:30 pm daily. Last admission at 6:00 pm. Free Parking.