Newport Medieval Ship

Conservation  Cleaning a hull plank with lots of fresh water

Conservation at the ship centre involves the cleaning and stabilisation of materials found during the ship excavation. After evaluating an object, the conservators work carefully to remove corrosion and clay in order to uncover the original surface detail. They use tools like x-ray machines and CT scanners to look inside objects without damaging them. This is especially useful for composite objects like the ship’s pump, which is made from wood, leather and iron.

Some objects are cleaned mechanically with tools, while others are cleaned by hand or with chemicals. Different materials call for different techniques. You might be surprised to learn that the most commonly used chemical in the ship centre is fresh water.

After cleaning and conservation, objects can be put on display for people to study and admire. The conservator’s job doesn’t end there, however. They must monitor the environment which surrounds the objects, including the air temperature and humidity, in order to ensure the long term survival of the artefacts.