Archaeological Composites

Conclusion

The composite artifacts mentioned in this chapter are a small reflection of the myriad combinations possible within the entire realm of archaeological materials. The great majority of these objects are most easily treated by separating them into their component materials, but this is not always possible. Textiles adhere readily to iron objects, cordage is often found in conjunction with wood, and leather shoes are often held together with iron nails. Fortunately prehistoric sites offer up very few composite artifacts due to the simplicity of early cultural material kits, but it is possible to locate hafted projectile points and leather wood combinations. Since artifacts are invariably unique they all offer particular conservation dilemmas, not so much beyond the scope of this work, but beyond effective description. It becomes pointless and inefficient after a time to describe all of the possible combinations. The archaeologst/conservator should be reminded that some of these combinations, no doubt, will be too difficult to deal with in a minimal intervention laboratory. But other artifacts are simply a matter of networking, imagination, knowledge, and experience away from stabilization.