127 
TECHNICAL METHODS IN THE PRESERVATION OF 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM SPECIMENS 
By Douglas Leechman 
CONTENTS 
Page 
Introduction 127 
Collecting in the field 128 
Cleaning. 130 
Preservation in the laboratory 131 
Repairing 132 
Restoration 133 
Numbering 133 
Storage 134 
Exhibition 134 
Fumigation 135 
Heat and cold 137 
Dry ice 138 
Naphthalene 138 
Insect pests 139 
Fungi and lichens 140 
Materials of animal origin 140 
Materials of vegetable origin 148 
Materials of mineral origin 153 
Bibliography 158 
INTRODUCTION 
Literature dealing with the preservation of museum specimens in 
general and anthropological collections in particular is scanty and widely 
scattered. There are only three books on the subject in English that are 
of any value and one of these is an out-of-date translation from the German. 
Moreover, two of these three books concern themselves principally with 
archaeological specimens, and especially those excavated in Egypt. There 
appears to be no comprehensive volume in existence dealing with the 
preservation of anthropological specimens of North American origin. 
The author does not feel that he can do more than offer a few sug- 
gestions within the limits of a short paper. The fullest acknowledgment 
must be made of his indebtedness to A. Lucas, whose “Antiques, Their 
Restoration and Preservation,” is the best book available on the subject, 
indispensable to the serious student and useful as well to many others. 
There are doubtless many workers who have evolved formulae of their 
own that they have found satisfactory. If so, it is hoped that they will 
publish them so that they may be added to the stock of general information, 
and their value taken advantage of, or their dangers and defects pointed 
out. Lack of preservative treatment and the use of imperfect methods 
have robbed anthropological students of a vast quantity of material 
which would have been invaluable. Now that technical methods have 
reached their present perfection there is little excuse for the loss or deterior- 
ation of any specimen once it has reached the preparatory hands. 
12931—8 
