The Chemistry and Conservation Laboratory is tasked primarily on the preservation, conservation, restoration and chemical analysis of cultural properties. It includes management and maintenance of regional museums and archaeological sites in the country. Secondly, it conducts training, seminar/workshop on material conservation and analysis. The Laboratory consist of the following sections :
A. CONSERVATION and RESTORATION - performs conservation, preservation, Restoration of archaeological, ethnographic, archival and historical objects both movable and immovable. It also plans and implement site conservation management for significant archaeological and historical structures.

B. CHEMICAL RESEARCH - conducts qualitative, quantitative, and microchemical analysis of both organic and inorganic materials. It also performs palynology, petrography and microenvironmental studies.

C. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECTION - plans, organize and implement training programs and seminars on the field of conservation and restoration of cultural properties.

D. TECHNICAL SERVICES SECTION - administrative functions, documentation, pest control and publication of technical reports.
 

1. CONSERVATION OF UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBJECTS
 

Conserved and restore ceramics, metals, wood, ivory and other materials recovered from Lena Shaol, Palawan.

 
 

2. CONSERVATION OF 12th Century BUTUAN BOAT
 

A waterlogged wooden boat from Butuan City is conserved using the polyethylene glycol method. Two (2) "balanghay boats" were consolidated with PEG 4000 and seven other boats are awaiting for conservation. Todate, balanghay V is being treated by spraying and brushing technique.

 
 

3. ANGONO PETROGLYPHS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

 

The Angono Petroglyphs located in Binangonan, Rizal is the oldest known Rock Art in the Philippines dated approximately 1000 years B.C. Originally there are 127 engravings of human and animal figures but due to neglect and vandalism, some rock carvings are disappearing. Studies on volcanic tuff deterioration on conservation is undertaken and site development is on-going.    A small museum, viewdeck and stone catwalk were constructed and a weather monitoring devices were installed to record the daily environmental condition

The conservation and site development of the petroglyph was supported by World Monument Watch Fund, Department of Tourism, and the National Museum. Todate, researches on conservation is on-going and the Dept. of Invironment and Natural Resources is conducting airblast test on the harmful effect of the quarrying operation in nearby hill. Geologic survey is also on-going.
 
In 1997, Dr. Nicholas Stanley-Price a Rock Art expert from Scotland was invited to assist the National Museum in formulating the site conservation and management policy for the petroglyphs.

Further geological study was conducted in coordination with the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau and the PHILVOLCS. Seismographic recording was conducted at the site to determine the stability of the rockshelter during earthquake or rock blasting effect of the nearby quarry.
 

Dra. Elena Charola, a rock art specialist from Argentina was invited to assess the deterioration of the volcanic tuft where this figures are engraved. The rock was fairly stable, however, continuous monitoring and documentation was recommended in order to establish the rate of deterioration due to microenviromental changes at the site. The Angono Petroglyphs site is tentatively scheduled for opening to the public in March 20, 1999

 

4. BENGUET MUMMIES PRESERVATION PROJECT

 

Documentation and assessment on the condition of human mummies in the Province of Benguet is on-going. Todate, 26 mummies were accounted and were in advance stage of deterioration. They are found in the municipality of Kabayan. Twelve (12) municipalities were reported to have mummies and further survey and assessment is being conducted. The Kabayan mummy was listed in the 1998 Endangered Site in the world under the World Monuments Watch program.    n line with the preservation of the mummy site, a cultural awareness campaign was conducted in the province of Benguet. Representatives from 13 municipalities attended the workshop in Conservation the Benguet Cultural Heritage which was held in Latrinidad from October 7 - 9, 1998.  I

 The National Museum and the Provincial government of Benguet are working together for the re-burial of the Benguet mummy, "Apo Annu" at the Annu cave in Nabalicong, Baguias. Benguet. The local government is now preparing the security and preservation measures of the said mummy. A traditional burial and grand "cañao" is awaiting for the return of the mummy to it's abode in Benguet.

5. RESTORATION OF PAINTINGS AND OTHER ART OBJECTS

This project is funded by the Spanish government to train local conservators on the conservation and restoration of easel paintings. The project implementation is in coordination with the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.

The workshop in Preventive Conservation of museum object were conducted by Spanish expert from Instituto del Patrimonio Historico Español. Conservators invited were Jose Burces, Miguel Rodriguez, Lorite and Juan Herrares. Dra. Nieves Valentin conducted the Pest Control workshop. The two (2) weeks workshop in the Applied Analytical Techniques in the analysis of Paint Layers scheduked in January 25 to February 5, 1999 will be conducted by Dr. Enrique Parra Crego from the Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio.

The 3-months intensive training course on the "Coservation and Restoration of easle Paintings" is scheduled on March 16 to June 15, 1999. The course covers both practical and theoritical aspects of conserving and restoring paintings and other painted art object. Deadline for application is February 26, 1999.

PUBLICATIONS:

1. Abinion, Orlando V., 1989, The recovery of the 12th Century Wooden Boats in the Philippines, The Bulletin of Australia Institute for Marine Archaeology, Vol. 13, No. 2. (full text)

2. Abinion, Orlando V., 1992, Polyethylene Glycol on Conserving Balanghay Wood, NM Papers, Vol. 3, No. 1. (full text)

3. Naranjo, SR, Susan, et. Al, 1992, Deacidification of Cotton Textile by Dilute Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) : An Experimental Conservation Treatment of a Kiangan Skirt, NM Papers, Vol. 3, No. 2. (full text)

4. Elvena, Evelyn T., 1995, The Conservation of a Bilaan Belt, NM Papers, Vol.5, No. l. (full text)

1. The Museum Environment - NM Technical Notes, No. 1
2. Field Conservation of Marine Artifacts, NM Technical Notes, No. 2
3. Leather Conservation, NM Technical Notes, No.3
4. Care of Museum Collections, NM Technical Notes, No. 4
5. Restoration of Paintings, NM Technical Notes, No. 5
6. Pollen Analysis in Archaeology, NM Research Paper, 1981
7. Chemical Characterization of Balanghay Sites, NM Technical Papers, 1980
8. Conservation of Water-logged Wood, Research Paper (UNESCO) 1988
9. Conservation of Marine Archaeological Sites, Research Paper (UNESCO) 1988
10. The Conservation of Archaeological Textile, NM Technical Notes, 1990
11. The Conservation of the San Agustin Church Vestments, NCCA Research Paper, 1995
12. Preservation of the Angono Petroglyphs, Site Assessment Report, 1997
13. Museum Pest Control, Final Report, 1998 14. Country Report, Site Conservation and Management Policy for the Angono Petroglyphs, 1998