August 10, 2023
Four Artifacts
from Clotilda Undergoing Conservation
Montgomery – The
Alabama Historical Commission (AHC), RESOLVE Marine, Terra Mare Conservation,
and the History Museum of Mobile report ongoing conservation treatment of four
artifacts recovered from the Clotilda shipwreck during archaeological
investigations in May 2022.
During fieldwork, these
artifacts were selected for conservation and eventual display in Clotilda:
The Exhibition at the Africatown Heritage House, a site of the History
Museum of Mobile. The artifacts include a lead hawse pipe from the bow, a
small section of hull planking held together by iron drift pins, and a
section of planking that retains marks from a circular steam saw. AHC
worked with Terra Mare conservators to transport the largest artifact, a
timber with an iron pulley and fragments of a braided metal and rope cable in
the pulley from the ship’s steering mechanism.
The four artifacts were
recovered from brackish water meaning they require specialized care to prevent
rapid and irreversible deterioration. Treatment steps for waterlogged
archaeological artifacts generally include X-ray imaging, removal of marine
growths and thick corrosion layers known as concretions, desalination to remove
soluble salts which will cause irreversible damage if not removed before drying
the artifacts, and stabilization of the organic components.
Conservators Claudia Chemello
and Paul Mardikian of Terra Mare Conservation, who are leading conservation efforts
for Clotilda, are treating each artifact differently based on its component
materials and recovered condition. Following the technical and scientific
conservation process, these artifacts will be exhibited at the Africatown
Heritage House where they will help illustrate the story of the 110 enslaved
people aboard the Clotilda.
“Treatment of metal and
composite artifacts is one of our specialties and working with the AHC and the
History Museum of Mobile has been a unique and rich experience as we continue
our conservation efforts for these artifacts to help tell the story of the
Clotilda,” said Project Lead Paul Mardikian.
In addition to the treatment
of the four artifacts, Terra Mare worked with the AHC, RESOLVE Marine and the
archaeological team to assess the condition of the wreck during the 2022
fieldwork. Collaboration between archaeologists and conservators, as well as
with project stakeholders, is essential for the management of underwater
cultural heritage.
Governor Kay Ivey and the
state legislature appropriated $1 million to the AHC for Phase 3 for scientific
investigation of the Clotilda. The scope of the project allowed for the
retention and conservation treatment of diagnostic artifacts for display.
“As the
guardian of the Clotilda, the Alabama Historical Commission takes the
stewardship of these priceless artifacts very seriously”, said State Historic
Preservation Officer and Executive Director of AHC Lisa D. Jones. “The
preservation of these
artifacts is important to Africatown and the nation. Careful consideration for
the protection, preservation, and interpretation of these significant pieces has
been methodical, strategic, and deliberate.”
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About
the Alabama Historical Commission
Located in historic
downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission
is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created
by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to
protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to
accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and
promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and statewide
programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation
activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated
by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov