This special issue seeks to emphasize the escalating imperatives of conservation to all of those interested in museums, particularly professionals who are not conservation scientists. Gaël de Guichen, A challenge to the profession. Grace McCann Morley, Complaints that should be heeded. Y.O. Dawodu, Responsibilities in the African context. I. Eri, Restorers or handymen? Anon, A vast new challenge: conservation of rock art. See also AATA 19-901, 19-902, 19-910, 19-911, 19-914, 19-916, 19-918, 19-922, 19-927, 19-930, 19-955, 19-963, 19-966, 19-1009, 19-1055, 19-1061, 19-1301, 19-1832 and 19-1960 for individual abstracts of other articles. -- AATA