Stipulations
and Procedures for the Preparation of Archeological Material Collections to
be Curated at TARL
Table of Contents
Since one of its primary missions is to maintain in perpetuity
records and collections for research and education, TARL attempts to curate
collections in a manner that provides efficient access for users. As described
in the section "Separation of Collections for Housing at TARL,"
there are four principal collection housing areas (General Collections, Human
Osteology, Vessel Collection, Bulk Collections), and the remains curated in
each are prepared in somewhat different ways. More specifically, since almost
all users want to examine specific objects, specific kinds of objects, or
specific kinds of samples from one or more sites, collections submitted to
TARL must be separated according to the four-fold division described in the
section on Separation of Collections. In addition, those items to be housed
in General Collections must be submitted in the analytical categories into
which the materials were sorted for reporting purposes; these groups of items
must be clearly identified by analytical category. Pottery, for example, is
normally reported by ceramic type or other group (Holly Fine Engraved, Borger
Cordmarked, etc.). Similarly, chipped stone tools are typically reported by
categories such as endscrapers, beveled knives, Montell dart points, Alba
arrow points, utilized flakes, etc. The only exception to this is that all
artifacts associated with human burials are to be kept together (but separate
from the skeletal remains) to be curated as a unit in General Collections.
Other portions of collections are handled somewhat differently
as described in the section on Separation of Collections. Particular attention
should be given to unmodified faunal remains identified by taxon; these should
be packaged first by provenience and then by taxon (with labeling that records
the taxononic identification). TARL will not accept collections with faunal
remains that have been identified if taxonomic separations are not maintained,
so contractors should make certain that subcontractors comply with these requirements.
In general, TARL will not accept for curation objects reported
as "isolated finds" or from "localities." If the occurrence
of artifacts does not warrant a site designation, the objects themselves are,
in most cases, not worth curating. Unusual individual cases should be discussed
with TARL's Head of Collections in advance.
Submission of collections according to these criteria is
considered to be the professional and ethical responsibility of the Submitting
Archeologist, since it permits efficient evaluation of analytical results
by others and allows for reproducibility of results. Collections submitted
without meeting these stipulations in their entirety will be rejected.
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All collections, including records and materials, must
be complete when submitted for curation. TARL Collections Inventory Worksheet(s)
must be included with the collections at time of delivery. There shall
be a separate worksheet for each site and for each phase of investigation
at each site (e.g., survey collection, testing collection, excavation
collection). Records should be archivally stable, as noted in Council
of Texas Archeologists Guidelines for Curation Standards and Procedures
3.2.1.
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All artifact tags/labels are to be of acid-free paper (a random sample of these will be tested for compliance).
Information handwritten on labels must be written in pencil. Labels must
be readily visible and legible. Tags in bags of shell, metal, or bone
should be sleeved to prevent contact with artifacts. Small 1-mil open-end
bags work well.
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Paper artifact bags will not be accepted for curation
at TARL. Use 4-mil reclosable (zip-lock) polyethylene bags for all
artifacts. The double-track zipper type has proven longer lasting than
the single-track type, especially on larger bags holding heavier materials.
Do not write on the polyethylene bag.
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Clean and preserve all materials using TARL-approved,
nondestructive, and reversible techniques. Exceptions, of course, are
expected when cleaning has the potential for destroying archeological
data. On the TARL Collection Processing Record, document all techniques
and materials used in processing a collection.
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Separate and document specimens in need of ongoing restoration,
preservation, or monitoring.
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Other than the exceptions noted below, all specimens
must be individually labeled with a site designation and intrasite provenience
designation (a simple lot number system is acceptable). These designations
should be written on the specimens with permanent black ink and coated with
Acryloid B-72 for protection. If a base is needed on porous materials
such as bone (which is recommended), a thin coat of Acryloid B-72 may
be used before labeling and top-coating. Care should be taken to avoid
labeling specimens in areas necessary for attribute analysis. Dark specimens
are to be labeled with permanent white ink and coated as above. Do not
use white-out as a base or clear nail polish as a coating. Historically,
white-out has flaked off, taking the labeling with it, and clear nail
polish yellows and cracks with time. Chipped stone debitage larger than
a US quarter dollar must be individually labeled but need not be separated
from other, smaller debitage from that provenience (see #10 below). Window
glass fragments need not be labeled and should be treated as bulk samples.
Rusted metal objects that have not been conserved should be individually
bagged with an appropriate label (see #2 above). Nails and wire fragments
need not be labeled individually and can be treated as bulk samples (see
#10 below); string tags are useful for many metal objects that cannot
be otherwise labeled. Animal bones should be labeled (except for very
small specimens; see #8 below) as described above for porous materials.
Consult the TARL Collections Office regarding human remains.
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The labeling of perishable or fragile specimens should
be discussed with the Head of Collections as the need arises.
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Place specimens too small to be individually numbered
in a labeled vial (no film canisters), plastic bag, or gelatin capsule.
To insure against loss of provenience and analysis grouping, the label
in or on the container should specify that specimens are not individually
labeled.
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Radiocarbon samples should be submitted in glass containers
(if sample is from acidic sediments) or in aluminum foil packets placed
inside a reclosable polyethylene bag. There must be labels inside the
bag or inside the glass jar (the label should be in a zip-lock bag). Labels
should indicate if a portion of the sample has been submitted for dating.
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Bulk samples (e.g., matrix, soil, burned rocks, lithic
debitage) must be double-bagged, and an easily read acid-free
paper tag must be placed between the two bags. Do not overpack, and keep
the top of bags up, with heavy materials on the bottom of the container.
Staples are
not acceptable. In the case of soil, matrix, pollen, macrobotanical, fine-screen,
and/or flotation samples, another label inside its own closed zip-lock
bag must be placed with the sample inside the inner bag. Labels should
indicate if a portion of the sample has been removed for analysis. It
is important that all samples be completely dry before being enclosed
in their containers.
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The following information must be included on all tags
and labels: site designations; project name, number, and date; provenience
data; analytical group or type of sample; number of specimens included;
and name of submitting agency/institution.
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Separate and package materials according to the instructions
in the section "Separation of Collections for Housing at TARL."
For artifacts to be curated in General Collections, submit in the analytical
categories used in the report, and if appropriate, from meaningful proveniences
within a site (an example might be separation by mound at a multiple-mound
site). For General Collections, do not disassemble the analytical categories
and return artifacts to field provenience groupings.
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Provide an explanation or index for the cataloging system
used and a specimen inventory that accurately reflects the quantity of
materials being submitted for curation and their analysis and packaging
order.
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Be certain that analytical groups as well as individual
artifact designations on the inventories correspond to those used in the
final report and on packaging. This will greatly facilitate use by future
researchers.
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TARL provides boxes of a specific size for housing of
bulk specimens, osteological remains, and other special materials. The
cost of the boxes is covered by the basic curation charge. Boxes for Bulk
Collections and Human Osteology should be requested in advance. Cardboard
box bottoms must be generously hot-melt glued, not taped or interfolded.
All adhesive tapes fail with time, and folded box bottoms are not strong
enough to hold these bulk materials.
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If the need to curate anything unusual is anticipated
or if clarification of these procedures is needed, please contact TARL
Collections at 512-475-6853. A list of some sources for curation and archival
products is included with this curation packet.
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Please consult in advance with TARL Registrar to schedule
delivery of a collection to TARL.
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Primary housing area for utilized, worked, or otherwise
modified materials from prehistoric or historic archeological sites.
Location: PRC Building 5, Room 19
- All ceramic specimens except complete
vessels (which are housed in the Vessel Collection area) and large quantities
of undecorated body sherds (to be curated as bulk materials and packaged
accordingly see below)
- Lithic tools and ornaments (exception: large numbers
of thick, unfinished bifaces will probably be curated in bulk material)
- Chipped stone tools
- Modified debitage (depending
on quantity)
- Stone ornaments
- Bone and shell tools and ornaments
- Wooden, fiber, textile, basketry,
and animal skin artifacts as well as other similar perishable objects
- Historic artifacts except for
bricks, mortar, bulk glass (window glass and bottle body fragments), bulk
undecorated ceramics, large quantities of metal objects (nails, wire, etc.);
submitters should discuss in advance with TARL Head of Collections all
collections containing metal objects so that the specific needs of each
collection are considered
- All materials associated with
human burials; separate by burial if there were multiple individuals (do
not include large matrix/soil samples)
Artifacts to be curated in TARL General Collections must
be in the analytical categories used in the report, and these groups of items
must be clearly identified by analytical category. For example, pottery is
normally reported by ceramic type or other group; similarly, chipped stone
tools may be reported by type categories. If a submitter deems it appropriate
to maintain some intrasite provenience separation (but with separation by
analytical categories within those provenience groups), this should be discussed
in advance with TARL Head of Collections.
Specimens housed in General Collections should be packaged
according to the Stipulations. Because the basic unit is the site, materials
from one site within a project must be kept together. Do not use the standard
cardboard box used for Bulk Collections to submit artifacts for curation in
General Collections.
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Housing area for human skeletal remains.
Location: PRC Building 5, Room 110
TARL will not accept for curation Native American human
remains or associated or unassociated funerary objects without written proof
of (1) right of possession by the party submitting the remains (as defined
in NAGPRA), and (2) a transfer document giving TARL the right of possession
(Letter of Transfer/Ownership and/or Deed
of Gift). Remains thus transferred must have been analyzed and documented
using Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains (available
from the Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas, Main 330, Fayetteville,
Arkansas 72701 [479-575-3556]) if not, an additional fee will be charged to
cover this expense. Anyone wanting to submit Native American human remains
or associated or unassociated funerary objects under other circumstances should
consult TARL staff to discuss pertinent legal issues.
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Housing area for whole or nearly complete ceramic vessels.
Contact the Head of Collections regarding submission of whole vessels.
Location: PRC Building 5, Room 117
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Unless the amount per site and/or project is small, as is
true in many survey collections, the following kinds of materials will be
curated in Bulk Collections. Specimens housed in Bulk Collections should be
packaged first in plastic bags or other appropriate containers (see specific
requirements in Stipulations), and then in standard 18 x 11 x 6-inch cardboard
boxes provided by TARL. Boxes should be labeled neatly on 11-inch side of
box with black marker.
Location: PRC Building 33
- Ground, pecked, and battered stone tools (exceptions
may be considered if specific objects would be more appropriately curated
in General Collections)
- Unmodified debitage (within provenience groupings, maintain
analytical categories reported)
- Thick unfinished bifaces and unifaces
- Burned/thermally altered rocks
- Unaltered gravels/pebbles
- Matrix samples
- Soil samples
- Bulk ceramics (see criteria in section on General Collections)
- Bulk historic materials (see criteria in section on General
Collections)
- Unaltered nonhuman bone (includes bone with cutmarks
and other indications of butchering; within provenience groupings, maintain
any taxonomic separations that have been made)
- Plant remains
- Picked matrix
- Charcoal samples
- Unaltered shell (within provenience groupings, maintain
any taxonomic separations that have been made)
- Pollen samples
- Phytolith samples
- Archeomagnetic and thermoluminescence samples
- Coprolite samples
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