General statements regarding the appropriate function of museum laboratories, and government research establishments support the development of analytical techniques at the latter two levels. Archaeometry research at the British Museum Laboratory frequently proceeds beyond the original request for specific information about an object. Laboratory scientists have provided an impetus for extending the museum collection into areas of technological interest - i.e., ores, slags, tuyeres - to reinforce the study of the objects themselves. Collaboration between the antiquities staff and the research scientists in the Laboratory is adequate; however, the conservation staff is so organized that communication is difficult. Conservation practices have been known to affect analytical results; thus the importance of conservation documentation is underlined. -- AATA