Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
APPLICATION FOR COLLECTIONS RESEARCH
Contract with:
Date:
Institution:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Storage Site of Collection:
Dates during which you would like to do research:
Names and affiliations of other individuals involved in the analysis:
Abstract of proposed research, including explanation of the purpose of the project, the mode of analysis,
the methods of examination, and the type of documentation to be used:
Description of collections to be examined, including object names, provenience, catalog numbers, and
quantity of material if known:
The Applicant(s) is granted permission for access to and provision to the above described collection(s) of
the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology according to the terms and conditions stipulated on the
reverse of this form.
Applicant Signature:
Date:
RSPM Approval:
Date:
Phillips Academy
Andover, MA 01810 Telephone 978-749-4490
www.andover.edu/rspeabody
Fax 978-749-4495
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
1. Research is limited to use the above collection(s) or specimen(s).
2. Research use is solely for educational and scholarly purposes consistent with the mission statement of
the Museum.
3. The Museum reserves the right to restrict access to culturally sensitive objects that are subject to
NAGPRA legislation (Public Law 101-601), or that are too structurally unstable to permit handling.
4. The Applicant agrees to follow the enclosed “Guidelines for Safe Handling of Museum Objects”.
5. The Applicant may photograph and/or make sketches of the above listed objects for research use
purposes, but access to collections for research use and photography does not constitute permission
for reproduction, publication, exhibition, or distribution of images or data. Permission for
reproduction, publication, exhibition, or distribution in any medium must be obtained in writing from
the museum.
Phillips Academy
Andover, MA 01810 Telephone 978-749-4490
www.andover.edu/rspeabody
Fax 978-749-4495
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
Guidelines for Safe Handling of Museum Objects
• Respect object integrity: regardless how stable it looks, the object may be extremely
fragile.
• Never rush. Plan sufficient time for careful work.
• Check object condition before moving it. Look for weak places, e.g. breaks, tears,
mends, and areas of stress such as seams, folds, and any acute angle.
• Handle and move objects as infrequently as possible.
• Cotton or latex gloves must be worn when handling all museum objects.
• Use pencil when recording data. Pens and markers are prohibited from use except
for application of permanent catalog numbers.
• Be careful to avoid any abrasion of artifacts by loose clothing, jewelry, hanging
glasses, or from other sources such as books used during examination.
• Never leave artifacts on the floor.
• Know where the object is going to be placed before you move it. Make sure the path
to this destination is unobstructed. The location to which it is to be moved should
be clean, stable, and well away from edges.
• Provide overall support for the object from underneath. Never lift an object by an
appendage or projections such as handles, rims, straps, or arms. When an object has
many dangling elements, prior to transport transfer it onto a rigid support larger
than itself.
• Do not move objects that are too large, heavy, or fragile, alone. Ask for help.
• The most stable surface of an object is usually its base. Some ceramics and baskets
may be more stable when turned upside down if they have smooth, wide, strong
rims, and unstable, pointed, or rounded bases. Be careful doing this--unfired or
low-fired ceramics and other soft, unsupported materials may develop stress cracks
at the rim from the weight of the object when turned upside down!
Phillips Academy
Andover, MA 01810 Telephone 978-749-4490
www.andover.edu/rspeabody
Fax 978-749-4495
Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
• Place objects on a clean, level surface, away from excessive heat, drafts, fluorescent
lights, and sunlight.
• Save any written or documentary information that is with an object.
• Never remove tape, glue, adhesive labels, etc., from an artifact. The adhesive may
have permeated the artifact, and removing it without care could cause considerable
damage to the surface beneath.
• Consider placement of appendages, spouts, handles, and projections when putting
an object down. Avoid putting weight on appendages; pad them if necessary.
• Food or beverages are not permitted in collections storage and work rooms. They
may only be consumed in the kitchen area.
• Smoking is prohibited.
• If damage occurs, notify the Collections Manager immediately. Collect the
fragments carefully, but to avoid further damage, do not attempt to fit them
together.
Phillips Academy
Andover, MA 01810 Telephone 978-749-4490
www.andover.edu/rspeabody
Fax 978-749-4495