Archaeology

Sarah Watkins-Kenney ACR gave a talk to AG members in December 2022 on the treatment of dugout log canoes, which had been found in a lake in North Carolina in the 1980s.

23 canoes have been investigated and recorded in detail by archaeologists, including from the NC Office of State Archaeology and East Carolina University. All the canoes were made of bald cypress, and have been radiocarbon dated to between c.2400 BCE and 1400 CE.

Four canoes were recovered in 1985-1986, treated with sucrose and then put on display in various locations.

In 2007-2008 condition assessment of these treated canoes found that two were especially in need of re-treatment. One dates to c.340 CE and the other to c.1400 CE. Assessment of condition, identification of deposits, and testing of conservation options was undertaken in collaboration with researchers at East Carolina University, under the project management of Watkins-Kenney. This talk reviewed the initial discovery, treatment and display of the canoes in the mid-1980s. The investigations leading to re-treatment were described, followed by an outline of the project (2019- 2021) to re-conserve the two canoes for display at Pettigrew State Park, North Carolina. The conservation work was made possible with an IMLS Museums for America Collections Stewardship grant.

Dr Sarah Watkins-Kenney worked for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Office of State Archaeology as Chief Conservator and head of the Queen Anne's Revenge Conservation Lab from 2003-2020. Before moving to North Carolina, she worked for various museums, universities, regional conservation services and archaeology projects in the UK. From 1994-2003 she was head of the Metals, Ceramics and Glass Conservation Section at the British Museum. She has a PhD in Coastal Resources Management Program at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Her dissertation research was on 'Complexity and Conservation Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage by Public Agencies in North Carolina'. She trained in archaeological conservation (BSc Hons) at the University of Wales and has an MA degree in Museum and Gallery Management from City University, London. She has been an author on over 40 publications on various aspects of the conservation of archaeological materials, including on waterlogged wood.

Created: 21 Jan 2023 07:01:02 AM
Last edited: 13 Jun 2023 11:06:21 AM