Duration: 11:33

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This paper explores recent, current and future work on Coventry’s archaeology collection. The Herbert is preparing for a store move which has turned curatorial focus to bulk finds, in some cases for the first time in 60 years. From old to new, Coventry Collections Centre plans will see the offsite store move from a friary to a former retail site in two to three years’ time. Preparation began several years ago, starting with a ‘quick and dirty’ review of the collection, logging box locations and contents to a spreadsheet. Parallel work on the paper archive saw it listed, giving us a clearer idea of
contents and publication status. Volunteers have been used throughout this process, in different ways, which will be detailed in the talk.

There will be a discussion of plans to rationalise/deselect material, and the challenges this presents. Despite potential easy wins, potential collaboration with field units and a fortuitous project, disposing of archaeology is more complex and involved (for this curator at least!) than reviewing social history collections. This is very much a work in progress.

The paper finishes with how we plan to promote the archaeology collection to researchers post-move, so it is used more frequently and effectively, and how the move will impact future display plans.

Ali Wells has worked at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry for 16 years, mostly as a curator. Working across the social history, natural sciences and archaeology collections, Ali has curated temporary exhibitions such as the Story of Children’s Television and worked on projects like Exploring [George] Eliot.