At the end of July 2018, further conservation works were completed, involving objects coming from excavations on the premises of the former German Nazi death camp in Sobibór.

In collections of State Museum at Majdanek there are almost 6 thousands artifacts from Sobibór, obtained during archaeological research that have been conducted since 2000. The relics systematically undergo conservation works conducted in the Museum’s conservation workshop or by external entities.

More than 500 objects have undergone conservation works, among which personal effects prevailed, inter alia, pocket knives, knives, cutlery, canteens, razors, keys, lighters, tin openers and scissors. There were also coins, bits of packaging materials, medicines and cosmetics tubes. The pieces of clothing and shoes were preserved: buckles, leather shoes and shoe soles. Among remaining relics one might also see rifle and gun shells as well as barbed wire.

The items that underwent the conservation works were covered in soiling that had appeared as a result of long-term remaining in the ground. An irregular accumulation of corrosion was commonly found on the surface of metal relics. All of the objects were cleaned and preserved in a proper way.

The conservation team’s task was to inhibit the damaging processes occurring in the objects. The measures taken did not aim at restoring the original condition but securing and preserving their authenticity.