Working with limited resources: improving storage conditions for archaeological textiles of University of Concepción

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the continuation of University of Concepción’s project: ‘Placing value on the University of Concepción archaeological collection’ (in Spanish: Puesta en valor de la colección arqueológica Universidad de Concepción), funded by the government in 2010 for the conservation, study and safe storage of archaeological objects under the care of the Anthropology Department. The textile collection was not included at that time. The University wishes to continue this initiative, and this new project involves the planning of a conservation strategy to improve the textiles’ storage conditions and allow future research on their provenance and history within Chilean past, allowing scholars, students and the general public to learn from them and give value to Chilean cultural heritage. The proposals will be presented to the National Fund for Cultural and Art Development (in Spanish: Fondo Nacional para el Desarrollo Cultural y las Artes – FONDART), and hopefully the textiles will begin treatment by winter 2014.