introduction
The Groningen Institute of Archaeology (GIA) has a laboratory for the conservation and examination of objects and materials from excavations. This Laboratory for Conservation & Material Studies (LCM) participates in scientific research executed by the GIA.
Most of the finds from excavations are made of either metal, ceramics, organics or stone. For this reason the Laboratory has expertise on the material categories mentioned above.
The Laboratory is lead by Dr. Albert Nijboer and staffed by Gert van Oortmerssen MA. Albert Nijboer took a BSc degree in Conservation and Material Sciences (1987) at the Institute of Archaeology (University of London). Gert van Oortmerssen studied Art History at the University of Groningen and became skilled in conservation through in-service training. He is certified as Conservation specialist as well as specialist Depot Management according to Dutch regulations (KNA).
The photo at the top of the page is a detail of a diadem (copper alloy) with pseudomorphic remains of textile, from excavations at one of the necropoli of Crustumerium near Rome. The object was found in tomb 232, excavated by the GIA in 2007.
Some projects of the LCM:
Conservation of objects (metals, ceramics, glass) from the excavation of the medieval monastery Yesse at Haren (Groningen, The Netherlands)
Conservation and restoration of objects (metals, ceramics, glass, organic) from an 18th century English merchant ship (Flevoland, The Netherlands)
Conservation and restoration of a collection of ‘Trechterbeker’ ceramics excavated at Dalfsen (Overijssel, The Netherlands)
Conservation and restoration of ceramics, glass and metal finds from the Monte del Bufalo necropole at Crustumerium (Italy) in association with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma, SSBAR [the image at the top of the page is a detail of a diadem (copper alloy) with pseudomorphic remains of textiles from tomb 232, excavated by the GIA in 2007]
Conservation and analysis of iron artefacts from Smeerenburg, a Dutch 17th century whaling station at Spitsbergen, Norway
Conservation of a collection of clay tablets from the Department of Near Eastern Studies (TCMO) of the Groningen University
Research on the gold disc-on-bow brooch from Wijnaldum (Frisia, The Netherlands)
Conservation of iron and non-iron artefacts from the excavation at Wijnaldum (Frisia, The Netherlands), amongst others a 7th century matrix for preparing gold foil inlays
Conservation of early-16th century stone sculptures from the Zuidbroek church in the province of Groningen
Restoration of Mediaeval ceramics from the excavation at Stavoren (Frisia, The Netherlands)
Fabric analysis on ceramics from the province of Latium, Italy
Desalination and conservation of a late Roman tombstone from Egypt
Conservation and restoration of metal finds from Midlaren, De Bloemert (Drenthe, The Netherlands)
For information please contact Albert Nijboer, a.j.nijboer@rug.nl, or Gert van Oortmerssen, g.j.m.van.oortmerssen@rug.nl. The LCM works according to the guidelines Quality Dutch Archaeology as provided by the Dutch Government. At the LCM conservation and restoration work is done according to E.C.C.O. professional guidelines (code of ethics). Gert van Oortmerssen is a member of the association of professional restorers in the Netherlands (RN).