Conservation is an integral part of underwater archaeology, but not all collections have been treated by professional conservators, and many treatments of the past have not stood the test of time. This presentation will use examples from underwater and terrestrial sites to discuss the challenges of working with older collections, best and worst case scenarios for artifacts, how to protect them in storage, and what you might expect when you send your artifacts to a conservation lab.

Underwater cultural resource management and protections have been a major concern for archaeologists worldwide for decades. In the United States, local municipalities face challenges providing preservation support, including low (or no) funding, lack of personnel with proper training, or not understanding the breadth of their resources. To address these concerns, two research objectives were completed within the State of Florida: a statewide survey of municipal codes and/or regulations concerning underwater cultural heritage and an non-invasive site assessment of the B Street Schooner site in Pensacola Bay. This paper discusses the results of these investigations and presents recommendations for long-term care of the B Street Schooner, with the further goal of assisting other municipalities to develop management, monitoring, and preservation procedures for similar sites.

Research investigating conservation methods for waterlogged vulcanized rubber was conducted on gaskets recovered from the Civil War ironclad, CSS Georgia (1862). Given the limited publications on degradation analysis and the preservation of historic rubber, this project aimed to characterize the composition and deterioration of the gaskets and assess the efficacy of potential treatments. Analytical testing revealed the material to be natural rubber vulcanized using sulfur and lead, with calcium and silicate contaminants. Experimental conservation treatments implemented included polyethylene glycol (PEG) 200 submersion, PEG 200 electrophoresis, paraffin wax, beeswax, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) submersion. Of these treatments, PEG electrophoresis produced the best short-term results in creating an oxygen barrier while maintaining material flexibility. This presentation expands on the understanding of rubber composition, degradation agents, and offers short-term treatment strategies.