The ring arrived in the conservation lab where it was carefully cleaned of soil and bright green corrosion products. It is this green colour that tells us the ring was made from copper alloy. It indicates a common type of corrosion which affects most copper alloy objects that have been buried in the ground.

A particularly aggressive form of corrosion known as 'bronze disease' can attack copper alloy objects even in dry conditions. It is prevented by applying a chemical called benzotriazole; this was the next stage of treatment for the ring. Finally the ring was covered with an acrylic lacquer to protect it from moisture and dirt.