[BCMA] Adding accession numbers to archaeological items held in a repository

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

Hello all,

The Kitimat Museum & Archives serves as a repository for archaeological materials uncovered in the Kitimat area, with the approval of the Haisla Nation. These materials include stone tools, animal bones, and glass/metal/ceramic objects, from both pre- and post-contact eras. They come to us with a number already assigned to them based on the site they were recovered at, ex. GaTe9:13. We then give them our own accession numbers like any other artifact, ex. 2023.40, for record-keeping purposes.

What we're wondering is whether it's okay to physically add our accession numbers to the artifact, using the nail hardener and ink method (as we do for all our other non-paper/textile artifacts). Some of them already have the site number added to them, typed on tiny strips of paper that are adhered to the artifact. Would adding our own numbers damage the artifacts, esp. the organic ones? Furthermore, are the artifacts not truly 'ours' as we are merely a repository for them, and if that's the case, is it appropriate to add our numbers, or would it merely cause further confusion?

If anyone can advise on this issue, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Holly Peterson


[cid:5b71b078-712e-4cc8-9a65-34092658855a]



Holly Peterson | She / Her

Manager of Collections & Programming

Kitimat Museum & Archives

293 City Centre

Kitimat, BC   V8C 1T6

Tel:  250-632-8951

Website:  www.kitimatmuseum.ca<http://www.kitimatmuseum.ca/>



The Kitimat Museum & Archives is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the x¯a’isla Nation.


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