The SHA some years ago promulgated explicit standards for curation of
     materials from historic sites.  As I recall the entire document was
     published in the Newsletter, but I do not have the particular citation
     immediately at hand.  You can probably acquire a copy of the
     guidelines from Curation Standards Committee chair Bob Sonderman.  He
     can be reached via e-mail at [log in to unmask]
 
     VENoble
     NPS Midwest Arch Center
 
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Curation of historic artifacts
Author:  Debbie Rotman <[log in to unmask]> at NP--INTERNET
Date:    1/19/98 10:50 AM
 
 
Dear Fellow Archaeologists:
   We are currently trying to draft guidelines for curation of historic
artifacts and are interested in how other institutions handle similar
problems.  Is 100% curation necessary?  For example, what percentage
of corroded and unidentifiable nails are retained ?  What material
classes, such as coal, can be counted, weighed, and then discarded in
the field?  Is there an industry standard for these matters?
  I am most interested in hearing your curation tales.  Thanks for your
help.
Regards,
Debbie Rotman
Ball State University