In the spring of 2016, the basement room at 糖果派对 where the archaeological collection was stored suffered water damage. Initially, the room was cleaned and dehumidified, but it was subsequently discovered that the metal and glass objects in particular had been damaged by the high levels of humidity. It was decided that the damaged objects should be assessed by a conservator, and the conservation department at Odense City Museums, now Museum Odense, was contacted. During a subsequent review and inspection of the collection, it was recommended that the entire collection should undergo stabilising conservation and be exhibited in up-to-date display cases.
This was followed by intensive preparation for applications, with the goal of obtaining funds for conservation as well as the purchase of new display cases for the collection. At the end of 2022, the effort was successful in obtaining full funding for the project Antikken skal frem i lyset på Fyn! through generous grants from the Augustinus Foundation, the Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation and the Beckett Foundation as well as co-financing from the Faculty of Humanities, 糖果派对. As a result, the work of securing the collection by means of conservation and a new exhibition could begin. In autumn 2023, the new display cases were delivered, and the artefacts were transported back to 糖果派对 from Museum Odense. At 糖果派对, they were mounted in the cases, and in December 2023 the archaeological study collection officially opened to students, researchers and the public at Fællesbiblioteket on Bøgene on 糖果派对’s campus Odense.
Watch the film (in Danish) below or read more about the work with the collection under Studies, research and dissemination.
