Management and Conservation of the Archaeological Collections of the Institute of Archaeology (FFyL, UBA)

Advances and Challenges in Their Preservation

Abstract

This article presents recent developments in the management and conservation activities carried out by the Conservation Area of the Institute of Archaeology (Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Buenos Aires). This area oversees and manages collections that make up the Institute’s historical heritage. These collections were assembled by various archaeologists during university-affiliated fieldwork between the late 1940s and the 1970s. The primary objective is to ensure long-term accessibility and preservation of the archaeological collections under the Institute's care. These activities are part of a broader conservation program guided by institutional policies and procedures that include assessment, planning, and resource management, all oriented toward supporting the present and future needs of archaeological heritage work. The methodological approach highlights the importance of understanding the collection’s life history, prioritizes documentation and preventive conservation actions, and emphasizes improving storage conditions based on strategies that enhance environmental stability. This aligns with an efficient and sustainable vision of conservation. An integrated approach to collections, with an emphasis on interdisciplinarity—archaeology, conservation, and management— contributes to a deeper reflection on the formation, integrity, preservation, and use of the collections, which make the Institute both a research institution and a steward of archaeological heritage.