After the collection was withdrawn from JAG, it underwent extensive conservation treatments, focussing primarily on preventative methods. The objects were sensitively cleaned to museum standards to best stabilise them, while refraining from performing aesthetic conservation work which would affect the authenticity of the object. Robust wooden artefacts were conserved in-house at the library, while the University of Pretoria was especially helpful in the conservation of fragile beaded objects, as well as acting in an advisory capacity. These treatments took a proactive approach to decelerate future deterioration and safeguard cultural legacy, so that objects can be enjoyed and researched by future generations.
Watch the film on conservation