This protein chemistry course was developed to supply conservators with a foundation on which to base their interpretations of scientific findings and to evaluate their conservation treatments of proteinaceous materials in ethnographic, historical, and functional objects in archival and fine arts collections. Skin, bone, hair, wool, horn, feather, silk, and leather are examined and analyzed. The contributors are as follows: David W. Von Endt and Howard L. Needles in the section on protein structure in general and in collagen, keratins, and fibroin; Robert M. Lollar figures, as well as the above-mentioned authors, in the section on the deterioration of proteinaceous materials: skin and hide, bone, keratins, and silk; the same authors are found in the section on technological modifications of proteinaceous materials and the effect on stability, protein adhesives, leather, wool and silk textiles Mary Lou Florian is the author of two sections, one on the conservation implications of the structure, reactivity, deterioration and modification of proteinaceous artifact material, and the other on analytical methods for protein identification and characterization; Gregory Young is the author of the chapter on microscopy.