Archaeological conservation in the United Kingdom : development, history, and diffusion of knowledge
This thesis seeks to reflect critically on the historical development of archaeological conservation as a distinct profession in the UK. The study is underpinned by two major strands of research. The first is an examination of the development of archaeological conservation at five institutions across the UK (the National Museum Wales, the Ashmolean, the British Museum, the Museum of London and the York Archaeological Trust) and a programme of semi-structured interviews with leading conservators within the profession, who were invited to reflect on their own training and professional development from the 1950s onwards. The second is an attempt to apply the framework of diffusion of innovations and knowledge transference studies in order to better understand the way conservators share information through an examination of the movement of two specific treatment materials (Soluble Nylon and Paraloid B-72) across the sector. The project was inspired by two contemporary issues within the sector; a concern that jobs in archaeological conservation are decreasing at a rapid rate, creating future gaps in specialism and provision in object conservation; and an understanding that knowledge is disappearing with the loss
Schmisseur, Alaina Marie
Archaeological conservation in the United Kingdom : development, history, and diffusion of knowledge. This thesis seeks to reflect critically on the historical development of archaeological conservation as a distinct profession in the UK. The study is underpinned by two major strands of research. The first is an examination of the development of archaeological conservation at five institutions across the UK (the National Museum Wales, the Ashmolean, the British Museum, the Museum of London and the York Archaeological Trust) and a programme of semi-structured interviews with leading conservators within the profession, who were invited to reflect on their own training and professional development from the 1950s onwards. The second is an attempt to apply the framework of diffusion of innovations and knowledge transference studies in order to better understand the way conservators share information through an examination of the movement of two specific treatment materials (Soluble Nylon and Paraloid B-72) across the sector. The project was inspired by two contemporary issues within the sector; a concern that jobs in archaeological conservation are decreasing at a rapid rate, creating future gaps in specialism and provision in object conservation; and an understanding that knowledge is disappearing with the loss
archaeological conservation united_kingdom development history diffusion knowledge seek reflect critically historical_development archaeological conservation distinct profession study underpin two_major strand research first examination development archaeological conservation institution across national museum wales british_museum museum london york archaeological trust programme semi_structured_interview lead conservator within profession invite reflect train professional_development onwards second attempt_apply framework diffusion innovation knowledge transference study order_well way conservator share information examination movement specific treatment material soluble across sector project inspire contemporary issue within sector concern job archaeological conservation decrease rapid rate create future gap provision object conservation knowledge loss