Thread by @drakonheritage

We are starting our Christmas Countdown a little early this year with the A-Z of @drakonheritage #ChristmasIsComing #ChristmasCountdown

First up. A is for Archaeology. Our year has been full of many great objects from the field. Swords, brooches, lots of iron and so many coins... #ArchaeologicalConservation #Archaeology

B is for Broken. This Anglo-Saxon vessel was hit by a plough. By re-joining the fragments we can appreciate its form but I loved seeing the repairs made in the past. What a valued object this must have been to someone. What stories it could tell. #conservation #ChristmasCountdown

C is for Collection Care. This year we have collaborated with many partners, conservators and volunteers to care for collections. We have project managed👩‍💻trapped pests🪳 dusted🖌️photographed📷catalogued📝boxed📦 labelled🏷️ and moved multiple collections to new storage🏛️ Phew🥵

D is for disasters. Always here to help out when disaster strikes. After a fire🔥this little statue cleaned up nicely. #ObjectConservation #MuseumBums

E is for Engagement. This year we have carried out many online engagement activities including talking to schools, archaeologists, finds liaison officers and members of the public. Roy the cat is always willing to join in. #publicengagement #Outreach #Catsatwork

F is for Factsheets. It was great to see the new @SocMusArch Standards and Guidance in the Care of Archaeological Collections come out this year. It included a series of Material Factsheets which we helped to write. See them here bit.ly/3lIT8Vt #Archaeology #Collections

G is for Glass. This wonderful millefiori Roman mount was conserved in 2019. We love its design and festive looking little trees #ChristmasTrees 🎄🎄Full details bit.ly/2TdaD3G #ArchaeologicalConservation #Archaeology

H is for Hoards. Jenni @IvychurchPriory has been working on some exciting @staffshoard projects this year (all will be revealed in time...). It's always a pleasure to work with such fabulous objects. #ProjectManagement #Creative #Hoards #Archaeology #Museums

I is for Investigation. Conservation uncovers details from under layers of soils and corrosion. Here is @PietaGreaves revealing surface designs from a piece of the #HaveringHoard . #Archaeology #ArchaeologicalConservation @ArchaeologicalS

J is for Join. Sometimes accidents happen and we need to join objects back together so they can be appreciated again. This little Ruskin vase was dropped but looking great with a bit of conservation TLC. #ObjectConsevation

K is for Knife. This little Anglo-Saxon knife is part of the burial found in Marlow bit.ly/3gc5O67 A small amount of wood can be seen on the handle which was mineralised by the corroding iron blade. #ArchaeologicalConservation #Archaeology

M is for Microscopes. Its one of my favourite conservation tools and I use it almost every day to investigate the technology and condition of a object prior to conservation treatment. #InvestigativeConservation #Conservation #Microscopes

N is for New Discoveries. One of my favourite things about my job is that you never known what will be discovered under the soil. These feathers (left) are probable remains of a #AngloSaxon pillow and a #Roman cicada intaglio rig that must have been a treasured possession.

O is for Objects. We are very lucky to work on a range of objects for our clients. From delicate seal skin parkas, dazzling Pugin high altars to corroding archaeological iron. Each object has its own unique history and conservation challenges. #ObjectConservation

P is for project management. Essential, but not very visual. If only we'd encountered a more interesting selection of pests this year, P could have looked very different (and yes we do have an Drakon A-Z #spreadsheet).

Q is for Questions. Conservation is full of questions. What is it made from? What condition is it in? What is the best conservation treatment? Here we are x-raying a gold torc to look at how it is constructed. #ObjectConservation #Archaeology #Xrays #Gold

R is for Really old stuff. Nothing I enjoy more than excavating a really old bit of archaeology from a block-lift. And this is one of my favourites. The Bronze Age Havering Hoard. #ArchaeologicalConservation #Archaeology #HaveringHoard

S is for Swords. I do love a sword. This Anglo-Saxon sword is currently undergoing conservation. From Marlow (bit.ly/3gc5O67), I have been slowly removing soils and documenting areas of wood along the blade which are the remains of a scabbard. #FindsFriday

T is for Treasure. Nothing looks more festive than the @staffshoard Red garnets sparkle against the dazzling gold. They would make the perfect #ChristmasTree decoration. #Archaeology #Christmas2020

U is for Urban. Enjoyed delving into maps, censuses and newspapers this year, learning more about the history of the local neighbourhood #Easton #localhistory #lockdown