SOME EXAMPLES OF EXAMINATION, CHARACTERISATION, ANALYSIS & CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES DEDICATED TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTEFACTS

The examination, characterisation and analysis of archaeological artefacts requires various complementary techniques, in order to improve our knowledge concerning their component materials; their elaboration processes, their evolution and/or degradation according time, use and environment and thus to give indications for their restoration and/or conservation. The present paper will give some guidelines relative to the importance and the usefulness of such techniques. This will be illustrated by some examples taken among recent works on artefacts from various geographical origins, various ages and different materials. Moreover, some examples of techniques of consolidation of archaeological artefacts will also be presented. A comprehensive bibliography is attached.