Conservation in action
Conservators use 'minimal intervention' methods to help stabilise objects (both chemically and physically) and keep their integrity and authenticity. Examining objects, researching, conducting treatments, and documenting are all in a day's work for our museum conservators.
The Dunbar Project
One of the Maritime Museum’s foundation projects carried out during 2023 was to raise funds for the preservation and research of Australia’s shipwrecks with the Dunbar collection as a focal point for research and conservation work. Thanks to the support of patrons and donors, in 2024 the Museum has been carrying out a 12-month program targeted at surveying, archiving and conserving the Dunbar collection, recovered from the Dunbar shipwreck after a century spent in the ocean.
Assessing maritime archaeological finds like the objects in the Dunbar collection relies on the conservators understanding of ocean-borne salts and how they impact objects both submerged, and after recovery. Based on these factors, the conservation team have been planning and carrying out treatments to stabilise and maintain the collection, ensure these objects continue to stand as symbol of early Australian History.
Check back for more stories from our conservation team!