Collections staff work with a conservator from the Western Archeological and Conservation Center to create microclimate storage for oversized metal objects.
Many processes can threaten the condition of artifacts over time. MWAC staff carefully package artifacts and continuously monitor storage conditions to provide the safest environment for each kind of object. The science behind the best practices for museum collections is always evolving, so we continue to work to maintain the best conditions for preservation.
Collections staff use air-tight plastic boxes to create microclimate storage for metal artifacts.
For example, the Center has moved all artifacts in long-term storage from corrugated cardboard into stable plastic boxes, because we know that most cardboard boxes are chemically unstable, may harbor various pests, and break down over time. We also know that different artifact types need different environments to remain in good condition. While it’s not practical to keep them all in different rooms, we do use special technology to store different kinds of artifacts in optimal microenvironments; metals containing iron need dryer conditions than bone artifacts, for example. Staff are putting decades’ worth of photographs, negatives, and slides into dedicated freezers, as research has shown a cold, dry, and constant environment is best for long-term storage of these kinds of archives.
