Let me go back a minute in this debate. As an archaeologist and conservator
(at the Center for Spanish Colonial Archaeology I do both) I only use whiteout
on lithics (stone tools) and some plainware pottery (the burned variety). At
other times I am using a Micron Pigma pen with waterproof ink and covering
with a dab of nail polish. This pen writes on all surfaces including ceramics,
metal, and bones.
  I do not gob on huge amounts of whiteout, and the numbers I place on the
artifact are as small as I can get them (with a .01 pen, it's pretty small). I
agree with Jim Barnes' earlier comment, that I resent being treated as though
I am doing something terrible and really stupid. This is a practice I was
taught early on in my archaeological career and have seen plenty of respected
archaeologists and conservators doing the same.
 
Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ  85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579              FAX: (602) 965-9169
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