I agree with Kelly that blueboard trays in record center boxes are the best option. Still make sure not to overload and make the box too heavy.

Two other options are half-height boxes, stacked two high on a shelf, or half-width boxes. But still waste space.

Trays are best option. Check out this blog posting for more:

http://nmscarcheologylab.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/a-day-in-the-life-rehousing-101/

Giles Parker
National Park Service
@NMSC_StorageGuy

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 12, 2012, at 5:04 PM, Kelly Meyers <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I am assuming you put one row of samples on the bottom of the box so are looking to maximize space in the top of the box? If that's the case, you could use compartment trays to place several layers of samples in one box without piling them on top of each other. I can send you information about what we use if it would be helpful.
> 
> Kelly
> ____________________________________
> Kelly Meyers
> Archaeology Collections Coordinator
> Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
> 206-543-7696
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jessie Cohen
> Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 10:49 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] seeking suggestions ... long-term storage ideas for archaeological soil samples
> 
> The museum for which I work has a significant amount of soil samples collected from various archaeological sites throughout the state.
> 
> The samples are currently stored in our compact storage space in bags which are then placed in archival boxes.
> 
> I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for alternate, maybe more space-efficent methods for storing archaeological soil samples.
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> --
> Jessie Cohen
> Registrar, Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnology New Jersey State Museum
> 
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