Collection management

After artefacts have been stabilised in the laboratory, they are transferred to the care of a Collection Manager who is responsible for the next phase of "back-of-house" processing. This mainly takes place in the Museum's permanent collection store. It is work that must be done meticulously and methodologically.

All artefacts are extensively documented-photographed, described, measured and weighed; sometimes they are also drawn. If not set aside for display or loan, they are packed into permanent storage boxes with appropriate wrapping or protective materials before they are finally placed into permanent storage in compactus units or on open shelving. This will be the designated "home" of each artefact for the rest of its "life" as an integral part of a permanent museum collection. Even if the object is lent out long term, this space will be reserved for the object until it is returned from loan.

All relevant information about each artefact is entered into an electronic database. At the Museum, this contains more than 65 fields of information. A well-designed, easy-to-use database facilitates access to collection items, whether required for research-or for auditing purposes. This also helps to keep track of the physical location of collection items.