The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society operates a two thousand square foot conservation laboratory that specializes in conserving underwater archaeological artifacts. This means all the artifacts that are either recovered from our archaeological expeditions or are donated are conserved on premises. 

Currently our collection contains approximately 100,000 artifacts and consists of a variety of inorganic and organic materials such as gold and silver bars and coins; precious jewels; various metals; glassware and ceramics; ivory as well as some organic artifacts such as wood, seeds, insect fragments, bones, and leather. The objects range from cannons, cross bows and other weaponry, to tools, ship's rigging, hardware, navigational instruments, personal items, galley utensils, shackles, trade goods and coin chests.

Each material type requires a specific treatment to become stable, and treatment may vary between a few hours to several years depending on the material type. Our conservation staff, volunteers, and interns conserve between 150 and 200 artifacts each year. After our artifacts have been successfully conserved they go on display in our galleries and traveling exhibits, or they are placed in our storage facilities and are available for scholarly research.

What is conservation?

Conservation is the process of stabilizing and protecting cultural property from further deterioration. This involves the use of specialized treatments and includes analysis, documentation, and long-term care. Conservators conduct specialized treatments to physically and chemically stabilize the artifacts to stop and prevent further deterioration. These treatments may be as simple as desalination (removing soluble salts) in water baths, or more complex involving chloride removal by electrolytic reduction. Treatments may take as little as a few hours or as long as several years. To retain the object’s integrity and diagnostic features, conservators take great care to protect and maintain the object’s original structure and appearance. It is not the goal of the conservator to restore the object to its original condition, but rather to preserve the object in its present condition and to stop further deterioration.

Conservation also involves maintaining the artifact’s condition after treatment has been completed. Conservators monitor and adjust environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light in the galleries and storage facilities to maintain an optimal environment to help sustain the artifacts condition and increase its longevity. 

Encrustation or Concretion

When an artifact enters sea water it becomes covered with bacteria, most  commonly, sulfate-reducing bacteria. The bacteria uses the surface of the  artifact for nutrients or as a place to inhabit. The bacteria attracts  living organisms such as corals, shellfish, and tubeworms, which attach  themselves to the surface of the artifact. When these organisms die, their  skeletal remains are left. New organisms attach to the old skeletal remains and over time this process produces a dense layer that covers the artifact. This layer is referred to as encrustation or concretion.

Here are a few of the many things that go on in our lab:

Everything you wanted to know about ivory, but were afraid to ask...
Where does ivory come from? In strict terms, true ivory comes from the tusks of elephants. This includes both African and Asian species and their prehistoric ancestor, the mammoth. Click here to read more about this.

Conservation Grant Update
One year ago, in April 2001, the museum received its first Conservation Project Support grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 
The project supported by this funding has been completed, and by all measures is a success. Click here to read more about this project.

MFMHS Conservators find clues to the past at the local hospital.
Over the years the Radiology Department at Lower Keys Medical Center has graciously provided the Society with an invaluable service, x-raying our concreted artifacts.
Click here to read more about this.

Mystery Artifact Identified
When iron artifacts are recovered from aqueous environments they are encrusted with a dense layer of coral concretion. This layer forms as a result of the cyclic action of organisms attaching themselves to the artifact then dying. Over time their skeletal remains build up eventually encapsulating the artifact in a dense, concrete-like cover. Although the artifacts are completely concealed within the concretion, they can usually be identified by their general shape and size. Identification is more 
difficult when two or more artifacts are encrusted together, or when an object is so unique there is nothing to compare it to, as was the case for our mystery artifact.
Click here to read more about this.

Email the conservation lab for more information.