The size and extent of the Agora collection in the Stoa of Attalos is described. The objectives of the conservation department include: the treatment of finds from new excavations, the cleaning, maintenance, and preservation of the existing collection, and special projects requested by scholars studying and publishing the material. The staff consists of a conservator and an assistant conservator. The laboratory was refurnished in 1979 in preparation for the 1980-1982 excavation seasons. Conservation problems of the collection are attributed to a number of factors. A major problem is the contamination of the ceramics with soluble salts. The collection materials most commonly treated are ceramics, glass, stone, metals, bone and ivory. The excavation, lifting, and cleaning of an iron object discovered in 1982 exemplifies the duties of the conservator and represents one of the most difficult materials to clean and stabilize.