MSDS Heritage provides extensive in-house conservation services for both terrestrial and marine-recovered archaeological objects. Our offerings range from condition assessments of individual items or collections to storage recommendations, documentation, and customised conservation proposals. We also specialise in investigative conservation, stabilisation, reconstruction, analysis, and the preparation or conservation of objects for display.
Our mission is to offer holistic, ethical, and effective solutions to help our clients preserve heritage for future generations.
Our Approach
Our approach is firmly grounded in ethical frameworks and adheres to ICON and Historic England guidelines. We work with a trusted network of heritage specialists, applying best practices and established methods, while keeping our clients closely informed to ensure their needs are fully met. In collaboration with stakeholders, we gain a deep understanding of their requirements, allowing us to select the most appropriate conservation solutions to preserve their objects and enhance their collections. Working within the wider MSDS Heritage archaeology services group, we ensure seamless support from excavation to conservation.
Our Services
Our in-house conservator – an ICON Pathway Member – brings experience in both terrestrial and marine archaeological conservation. Operating from a fully equipped conservation laboratory on the south coast of the UK we collaborate closely with a trusted network of specialists.
MSDS Heritage offer conservation services for museums and archaeological units, offshore and onshore windfarms, and contractors as well as for private clients and others.
Our archaeological conservation portfolio spans a diverse range of objects, from jewellery, swords and pewter tableware to wooden artefacts and silver coins. We offer expert guidance on the most appropriate, minimally interventive approaches and are always open to discussing all ethical options.
Specific services include:
- Conservation assessment – We offer condition assessment services for archaeological objects, including initial investigations, to propose suitable conservation options for individual objects or whole collections.
- Conservation proposals – We provide comprehensive, ethically based conservation proposals fully integrated with clients’ resources and requirements, considering storage, display, and handling requirements for objects or collections.
- Conservation Management Plans – We are able to work with clients to prepare Conservation Management Plans for historic vessels.
- Investigative conservation – We can undertake investigative conservation to reveal original surfaces, organic materials, restore meaning and strengthen fragile components. Our network of experienced specialists can provide analysis and reports.
- Full conservation service – We can provide a full conservation service from excavation to display condition, or any part of this process.
- Remedial conservation – We can undertake remedial conservation such as surface cleaning and sensitive repairs, consideration and protection of objects on display or in storage.
- Microclimate storage solutions – We offer archive quality storage solutions for archaeological objects and collections.
