As soon as an archaeological object is removed from its underwater context and brought to the surface, it is subjected to a great deal of stress. Its weight and density increase, and the object becomes very cumbersome, which can cause it to deform and even to break apart irreversibly. Thus, transporting the artefact from the ocean floor to the surface is a very delicate operation.
The maritime context present during underwater archaeological excavations – in particular tides, wind and heat – can compromise the proper conservation of an object, and rapidly accelerate the drying process. It is thus crucial to keep the most fragile objects surrounded by self-adherent wrap. They are then laid in covered polypropylene tubs, which are used to transport them back to the laboratory on land.
From the very start, it was necessary to record all observations concerning the context in which the objects were discovered, in order to not lose any information due to negligence or forgetfulness. It was rare for this process to be fully completed in situ. For traceability purposes, a white label with precise indications of the find-spot was attached to the artefact.
