That archaeologist on a dig podcast said to pack a toothbrush for cleaning small finds

Overheard someone on a podcast mention they use a soft toothbrush to clean pottery sherds in the field. Now I keep a cheap one in my kit and dust off artifacts without damaging them. Anyone else use weird tools for fieldwork?

2 comments

2 Comments

hunt.jana3d ago

Tbh I've been known to use a cut up credit card as a makeshift scraper for cleaning mud off of bone fragments. Works way better than a trowel sometimes because it's flexible and you can bend it to get into those weird little crevices without scratching anything. Also heard of someone using a makeup brush for delicate dusting on fragile artifacts, which makes total sense since they're designed to be super soft. I guess we all just grab whatever works, podcast advice or not. The toothbrush trick is solid though, especially for getting dirt out of those tiny little holes in pottery rims.

carter.julia3d ago

Wait, you're seriously cutting up credit cards for fieldwork? That's... actually kinda genius but also totally unhinged at the same time. I can't believe I never thought of that before, I've been out here wrestling with a stiff trowel like a chump.