2 years in the ArcLab: Labeling, Photography and Great People!
By Maria Carolina Zensen Simoes
In my second month at USC, I stumbled upon the archaeology table at the majors and minors fair and found out about the opportunity to work at the ArcLab. Even though I was majoring in History, the idea of getting my hands on artifacts (with gloves, of course!) that had been around for over 2,000 years got me really interested! Now, almost two years later, I’ve gained some invaluable skills in conservation, organization, and labeling.
When I first started in the lab, my partner Bridget and I were tasked with figuring out how to label the artifacts. We tried all sorts of glues and concentrations to find one that would stick without damaging the artifacts. Our first go with Paraloid B-67 didn’t go so well – the labels kept falling off! But Paraloid B-72 worked like a charm. This hands-on experience was a fantastic chemistry-meets-archaeology journey for me!
Currently, I’m working on documenting our collection. I’ve been trained to use a digital single lens reflex camera to photograph ancient coins and also bigger and more complex objects, such as statues and figurines! Creating digital versions of archaeological objects is an area that interests me a lot. Building on this foundational photography knowledge, I plan to work with photogrammetry, and actual scanning of artifacts in the future.
The most rewarding aspect of this work? It is not only handling ancient artifacts; it’s about preserving the past and safeguarding them for future generations! As for the team at the ArcLab, they’ve become some of my favorite people! This unique blend of scientific inquiry, historical research, and friendship inspires me to come to the ArcLab every week!