As we all attempt to follow new year resolutions and make plans for the year ahead, we decided to use this opportunity to look back at the fantastic projects we (Conservation Museums Advisory Service) completed in 2024. The objects have not disappointed! Tiger pelts, curse tablets, archaeological swords and Rodin statues to name a few. We have also loved getting to meet people at outreach events and in-house workshops. Here are a few highlights from our year:

Back in March we were able to share the treatment we carried out on an archaeological sword brought to us by the service Pre-Construct Archaeology. They had been carrying out a dig near Winchester where three bronze age ring ditches had been identified. However, it was soon discovered that over 100 burials were present dating from the early medieval period. The site was featured on Digging For Britain and the sword that was later discovered on the site had some interesting material on the surface. https://wshc.org.uk/secrets-of-a-sword/

In June our Archive Conservator, Sophie Coles, was involved in the acquisition of an amazing nature log-book for the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. This fascinating nature log-book dates from the 16 March to 31 December 1924 and was received from the Wiltshire Guides Association. The log was kept by the unwarranted members of 2A Swindon Ranger Guides with field notes, stories from walks across the county, and dozens of small pieces of artwork lovingly drawn by the Rangers. Due to the logs fragile condition it posed a challenge for Sophie. https://wshc.org.uk/tame-squirrels-and-campfires/

During the summer we managed to get out and about at Chippenham Museum outreach events, Salisbury Museum’s Festival of Archaeology and even at a dig site as part of the South West Anarchy Research Project (SWARP). We rarely get the opportunity to get out in the field as the majority of the archaeological objects are brought straight to our lab, so it was lovely to get the opportunity to meet students from Bristol University’s SWARP international summer school to talk all things archaeological conservation. https://wshc.org.uk/conservation-in-the-field/

And to round off the year we completed another archaeological conservation project. This time it was a large collection of waterlogged archaeological leather from Oakford Archaeology. Although we receive a lot of archaeological metal in the lab, organic archaeological material is more unusual and poses a very different challenge. With 47 fragments of leather we needed to carry out grain pattern analysis and reassociation before treatment could be carried out. https://wshc.org.uk/waterlogged-archaeological-leather/

With more exciting projects already in the works for 2025, including the rare opportunity to work on a bronze age cist, it looks like we are set for another year of fascinating and challenging conservation projects.

The Conservation and Museums Advisory Service (CMAS) aims to promote excellence in the care and use of collections by providing conservation advice and practical treatments to heritage organisations and the public. We also support museums in Wiltshire to meet professional standards and become sustainable, resilient organisations.

If you have a conservation query, want a quotation to carry out some work, or would like to book a free appointment for one of our conservation surgeries, we would love to hear from you! You can contact the team by email cmas@wiltshire.gov.uk or why not follow us on social media:

Facebook: CMASwilts

Instagram: @heritagecmas

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