Carolyn, There are several ways of using ziploc bags and to avoid the condensation problem. One simple way is place the artifact in a small acid-free tray and to place the tray inside of a ziploc bag which has been perforated multiple times with a sharp probe. This will allow a certain amount of equilibrium between the outside air and the artifact. There are many artifacts which should not be exposed to rapid changes in relative humidity (especially organic archaeological finds). In this case you would want to utilize silica gel which has been preconditioned to a specific RH and to include this (along with an RH indicating card or meter) inside of the sealed container. In this instance a controlled microclimate is desirable until the artifact can be examined by a conservator. Wet or very damp terrestrial archaeological artifacts can be stored by being wrapped with an inert polyester fabric and kept damp/wet. I have seen paper towels used for this purpose and that always creates a mess. In all cases try to store by media - if this is problematic then you have to establish storage conditions best suited for the most sensitive material that you have. See A Conservation Guide For Field Archaeologists by Catherine Sease, it's put out by UCLA press I believe. The brown paper bags which are used by many folks can cause severe damage to artifacts which are sensitive to organic acids - such as lead and lead alloy artifacts. The brown bags should only be seen as a very temporary storage situation if you are moving artifacts from the field to the lab. In this, as in all cases, it is best to compare notes with a wide spectrum of people and to learn the pluses and minuses of any storage system or media. Best Wishes, Dave David Harvey Conservator of Metals & Arms Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Williamsburg VA 23187-1776 804-220-7039 =:|\Pinnacle Online - Open and dynamic Internet services:= =:|o\. | | | ______ := =:|_/||\ ||\ | |\.| __ | Voice: 804/498.3889 email: [log in to unmask]:= =:| || \|| \| o | \| \_ .| Data: 804/498.9762 login: guest or new :=