Archeologisch leercongres

Leercongres
Op vrijdag 29 november 2024 organiseert het team Erfgoed van de gemeente Zwolle het (archeologisch) leercongres. Het is de vierde keer dat het congres wordt georganiseerd. Na ’s-Hertogenbosch, Delft en Dordrecht deze keer dus in Zwolle!

Deze dag staat in het teken van de conservering van en het onderzoek naar leervondsten afkomstig uit archeologische contexten. De keynote lezing zal worden verzorgd door Angela Middleton van Historic England en Arianne Panton van The Leather Conservation Centre. Een samenvatting van de keynote lezing lees je hieronder.

Noteer 29 november alvast in je agenda, zodat je deze inspirerende dag niet hoeft te missen. Begin oktober lees je hoe je kunt deelnemen aan het congres en geven wij meer informatie over de invulling van het programma

Samenvatting van de lezing
Skins in use – Manufacture, properties and deterioration prior to burial
Hides and skins are one of the earliest materials used by man and have played a large part in human development, used for a wide range of utilitarian and decorative functions. In their raw state skins provide useful sheet materials that exhibit strength and physical protection; properties exploited for use in shelter and defence.
Rawhide is however subject to putrefaction in wet / humid environments which is why so little is preserved in the archaeological record. Throughout history various processing methods have been used to extend useability of the material and impart specific functional and aesthetic properties. Although these properties are modified during burial, an understanding of the materials original form can provide researchers with useful insight into an objects intended use and help inform conservation treatments.
The first part of this talk will outline key manufacturing processes used throughout history and the specific properties imparted to the material as a result, including the use of different types of skins and hides. A brief overview of the key types of deterioration associated with these materials prior to burial will also be covered and examples, using case studies, of how this information can be useful in understanding archaeological leather post excavation.

Archaeological Leather – Investigative Conservation and Case Studies
Archaeological leather can, under certain circumstances, be found in abundance. In Northern Europe this is mainly in waterlogged environments. Immediately on recovery, wet archaeological leather has specific requirements to slow down decay, requiring close interaction between archaeologists in the field and conservators. This requirement is based on the understanding that each profession has their own unique agenda. If we accept that those agendas are not mutually exclusive, and both want to maximise the information potential that can be gained from working with and studying archaeological leather, the best possible outcome is achievable.