Archaeological Conservation in the United Kingdom: Development, History, and Diffusion of Knowledge

This thesis seeks to reflect critically on the historical development of archaeological conservation as a distinct profession in the UK. The study is underpinned by two major strands of research. The first is an examination of the development of archaeological conservation at five institutions across the UK (the National Museum Wales, the Ashmolean, the British Museum, the Museum of London and the York Archaeological Trust) and a programme of semi-structured interviews with leading conservators within the profession, who were invited to reflect on their own training and professional development from the 1950s onwards. The second is an attempt to apply the framework of diffusion of innovations and knowledge transference studies in order to better understand the way conservators share information through an examination of the movement of two specific treatment materials (Soluble Nylon and Paraloid B-72) across the sector.
The project was inspired by two contemporary issues within the sector; a concern that jobs in archaeological conservation are decreasing at a rapid rate, creating future gaps in specialism and provision in object conservation; and an understanding that knowledge is disappearing with the loss of particular individuals from the profession. The examination of the development of archaeological conservation and the identification of knowledge transference pathways is followed by recommendations for the future of the profession.