Lab History

2010 - Shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia

The East Carolina Conservation Lab joined the ECU Maritime Studies Program on their 2010 field school to Namibia. Work was completed on Eduard Bohlen.

ECCL attended;

Charlston, South Carolina Field School at Cooper River

Wet Organic Archaeological Materials Conference

Aziko Museums of Capetown Conference - Introduction to the Conservation of Waterlogged Archaeological Artefacts

Queen Elizabeth I Painting

ECCL performed an analysis of a rare wood panel painting of Queen Elizabeth I. For more information click here!

ECCL gave a North Carolina Preservation Consortium Presentation and was extremely happy with the attendance.

Dugout Log Canoe

ECCL performed the documentation and conservation of a North American dugout canoe that was under the care of the State of Georgia. For more information click here!

2009 - Washington Estuary Artefacts

Conservation was completed on artefacts from the Washington Estuary Collection

2002-present USS Monitor Advisory Committee - Mariner's Museum, Norfolk, VA.

2001 Consultant for the setup of 67 ton Chief Wawatam Triple Expansion Steam Engine, Wisconsin State Maritime Museum.

2001 Windfield Scott Archaeological Site - Artifact Conservation, National Park Service.

Fully loaded 16th century cannon(On loan to Elizabeth II State Historic Site)

Unloading a cannon can be tricky business. This late 16th century falcon posed many obstacles to treatment but eventually revealed a full load of grape and round shot encased within a canvas bag. The powder from this 400 year old cannon was still dry.

1998-2000 Santa Elena 16th Century Archaeological Site - (Artifact Conservation, South Carolina Institute of Anthropology and Archaeology)

The Santa Elena site offered the earliest historic artifacts yet conserved at the ECU laboratory. Yet prehistoric artifacts are subject to the same breakdown and decomposition that afflicts historic artifacts and must be stabilized before long term storage.

1994-1998 Land Tortoise

Wood analysis and treatment procedures for performed in order to ensure the stabilization of gunport covers of this unusual French and Indian War era warship. This French and Indian War vessel may be the earliest purpose built warship in North America. The Gun port lid (pictured) offered peculiar obstacles to conservation in the form of iron stains imbedded in the wood. Stains stains left on any organic material, cloth, or wood, will eventually break down the artifact.

1993 Norfolk Naval Museum - 18 th century ship's anchor

1990 Virginia Commonwealth - Revolutionary War artifact