Background

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) 

MAA is a museum of humanity's history over hundreds of thousands of years, of world cultures over recent centuries, and of Indigenous life and art in the present. MAA is also a local museum. For nearly 140 years it has been the place where archaeological finds from Cambridge and from our region are preserved, researched and displayed.

Locally and globally, it is a revelation of people's stories, through extraordinary things they have made, past and present. MAA, founded in 1884, reflected growing public and scholarly interest in archaeology and anthropology. The Museum curators were and are primarily Cambridge academics, and together with other University lecturers and research students, they made collections in the course of fieldwork.

In early 2025, ANOXART was engaged to treat a mummified person and coffin for a potential insect infestation. This was a preventive measure as part of the Store Move project. The object comprised of a lid and base of an anthropoid wooden coffin and a mummified person of unknown origin.

Anoxic Treatment

The mummified person was in the bottom part of the coffin, which has been altered, and a glass casing was added, probably in the 19th century, the wooden lid a separate object. Both parts of the coffin with the person were stored in a bespoke crate on castors. The trays with the coffin and person can be lifted out of the crate.

Due to the sensitive nature of this object, careful consideration was required before undertaking treatment. It was not appropriate to transport it off the museum premises; the advantage of the Anoxart system, as well as Eltek’s remotely monitored loggers, is that it is portable.

As a result Anoxart were able to execute the treatment at the museum stores in Cambridge, removing the high risk from transport of the object. Given the conservation backgrounds and art handling expertise of Anoxart, they were able to provide thorough RAMS that met the museum’s protocols, while offering assurance that the collection item would be handled with the utmost care and in optimum environmental conditions.

The museum had precise details of the object and clear plans of the building, which streamlined operations. The chamber was set up in a designated area, away from working areas, with access to an outlet to siphon off the Argon safely. 

Once anoxic levels are reached, we disconnect the system, removing equipment and gas cylinders from site, leaving little impact on the museum’s space. We have collaborated with Eltek, who have developed a bespoke system for us, which allows us to monitor the oxygen, temperature and relative humidity inside the chamber.

Eltek develop remotely monitored Oxygen sensors which are capable of measuring levels as low as 0.01%. Clients can log in at any given time via the cloud, which provides comprehensive data showing oxygen levels have remained anoxic and environmental levels are 

consistent. Eltek’s equipment also allowed for accurate real time readings of the RH and temperature within the chamber, further assuring that the treatment of this important and sensitive object was carried out to museum standards. 

"The experience of working with Anoxart has been entirely positive and we will not hesitate to call them again in future if an object requires anoxic treatment for pest control.
From the start of the conversation about the feasibility of anoxic about the feasibility of anoxic treatment for our needs, we benefited greatly from the Anoxart team's prompt and proactive communication. In the very limited time frame, we were able to offer as part of the Stores Move project, they offered comprehensive information about the proposed timeline, method applied, and any potential risks. The team were extremely resourceful while on site and worked with and around us. The treatment set-up was perfectly tailored to our busy working space as well as our project schedule, without compromising the effectiveness of the treatment.
By allowing us access to the data transmitted by the Eltek-based monitoring system placed inside the chamber, we could track the readings across the treatment period and witness the successful application first hand.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with Maxwell, Jessica, and Will, and we'll happily recommend their service to colleagues from the museum world." – MMA