Also known as: responsible collecting.
| Practice | Record the find site and context; respect the law |
|---|---|
| Preserves | The information that gives a relic meaning |
| Safety | Suspected live ordnance must be left to professionals |
Keeping the record
A relic's historical value lies not only in the object but in what is known about it, so responsible collecting records where and how a piece was found and keeps that information with it. Respecting the laws governing relic recovery and the integrity of archaeological sites preserves context that is lost once destroyed.
Responsible practice also means safety: a suspected loaded shell or fuze is a live and dangerous object and must be left to qualified explosive-ordnance professionals, never handled or disassembled to satisfy curiosity.
On this site
Sources & further reading
- CivilWarArtillery.com research archive: patents, manuals, catalogues, and reference pages.
- Hackley, Frank W. Civil War Explosive Ordnance. Revised November 10, 1960. U.S. Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal.