Case Decision - 365294

Final Decision

The SAHRA Development Applications Unit (DAU) and Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit have reviewed the submitted Chance Finds Procedure and accept the procedure on the following conditions:

TEEPSA must enter into a long standing curatorial agreement with Iziko Museums to store any heritage resources uncovered during exploration by the Iziko Maritime Unit.

Section 5 of the procedure must be amended to specify that: 

• Any heritage finds brought up and onto the ship must be totally immersed in fresh water, but seawater will suffice. The container must be plastic (or another inert material) as metal containers can cause a chemical reaction. 
• The container must also be an appropriate size ie not too big so that the artefact can move around in rough seas. 
• Plastic storage boxes with lids are ideal so that the water does not slosh out or the artefact dry out, the important thing is to keep the artefact wet.