1 #IconTC This paper will look at the #archaeological #conservation of the Scremby cup: a 2nd-century copper-alloy Roman cup found in a 6th century Anglo-Saxon grave.
2 #IconTC @UniShefArch excavations led by @Hugh_Willmott tt uncovered the cup in 2018 just outside Scremby, Lincolnshire. The find was block-lifted by archaeologists to allow a slow, controlled micro-excavation of the soils inside. 
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 3 #IconTC The first stage of treatment was to assess the object and formulate a conservation plan. The key elements of the treatment were to remove the surface soils, uncover any technological details and ensure that it was stable.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 4 #IconTC At the start of every treatment I like to carry out an x-ray to see if there are any fragile areas that are not visible to the eye. Unfortunately, the x-ray machine was playing up that day, so here is an x-ray taken after the soil was removed.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 5 #IconTC The excavation of the interior soils were carried out in 2cm spits and the soil retained in separate bags. Although there were no obvious ecofacts inside, a specialist in the future may want to test for residues.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 6 #IconTC The base had separated from the cup during burial and was broken up within the soil block. All pieces were carefully removed for reconstruction later.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 7 #IconTC Cleaning of the surface of the cup was undertaken under a microscope with simple hand tools such as scalpels and natural berberis thorns. Solvents were used to soften the soils to allow easier removal.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 8 #IconTC The cup is decorated with cloisonné cellwork. During cleaning inside the cup, bronze disease was identified on the back of the cells. A very active form of corrosion, it was chemically treated and stabilized.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 9 #IconTC Cleaning the surface revealed an amazing design of red, blue and green enamels. Some enamels were loose or broken so were consolidated into their original positions. Soils were also kept to help with stability and ensure the enamels did not fall out.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 10 #IconTC The base was re-joined as far as possible, some pieces were missing but enough to see its original size and shape. It was not reattached to the cup as it was too distorted. Old solder can be seen on the edge showing it was created as a separate piece to the cup.
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 11#IconTC After conservation the cup had a TV debut on #DiggingForBritain. If you want to learn more about the site and the other amazing objects found by @UniShefArch you can watch the show bbc.in/33LRmtO
@UniShefArch @Hugh_Willmott 12#IconTC The cup is an amazing object and a privilege to conserve. I wonder about the Roman who made it and what happened to it during the 400 years before being buried in an Anglo-Saxon grave. The stories it could tell…..
