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The process of conservation of

ancient pottery

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​The conservation of ancient pottery is a meticulous, multi-step process aimed at preserving both the physical structure and historical integrity of ceramic artifacts. Here's an overview of the typical ancient pottery conservation process:



🏺 1. Documentation

Before any intervention, the piece is thoroughly documented:

• Photography from all angles (including infrared/UV if needed)

• Measurements and condition reports

• Drawings or 3D scans for complex forms

• Material analysis (e.g., XRF, petrography) to understand composition and origin

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🧹 2. Cleaning

Cleaning is done conservatively to avoid damaging original surfaces:

• Dry cleaning with soft brushes, scalpels, or sponges

• Wet cleaning with distilled water or ethanol (if safe)

• Chemical cleaning only when necessary (to remove salts or old restoration materials)

• Consolidation of fragile areas prior to further handling 

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🧩 3. Reconstruction

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If the pottery is broken or incomplete:

• Reassembly of shards using reversible adhesives (like Paraloid B-72)

• Gap-filling using inert, stable materials like plaster, resin, or modern conservation clays

• Reinforcement if needed using internal supports

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🎨 4. Retouching & Inpainting

Used only where necessary and done reversibly:

• Color matching using watercolors or conservation paints

• Retouching techniques include tratteggio or pointillism to distinguish from the original under close inspection

• No falsification of original design—restoration must be recognizable under scrutiny

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🌡️ 5. Stabilization & Preservation

Final steps ensure the long-term survival of the piece:

• Environmental control (stable humidity, temperature, light exposure)

• Supportive mounts or storage materials

• Monitoring over time for signs of deterioration or stress

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🧾 6. Final Report

A detailed conservation report is compiled:

• All materials and methods used

• Before-and-after images

• Recommendations for future care