Museum Practices
Conservation vs. restoration “Is your goal to fix an artifact or preserve it?” A Collection Manager's dilemma I have both a museum and archaeology background, and the above question can start a serious debate. Conservation requires preservation, that is, a way to ensure an artifact will no longer degrade and is protected by the influences of man and environment. Restoration is the process of bringing an artifact back to its original form, without the tell-tales signs of age.