But far more dangerous than these major events that capture our attention is the subtle deterioration that is happening every day. Ancestors experts David Rencher and Irene Johnson talk about the impact nature can have on record preservation. Wind and water erode. Dust and dirt cover things. Sun dries out materials.
Gravity pulls matter down and breaks it.
Leather dries and cracks. Worms and rodents feed on paper, glue, cloth and leather. Pencil lines smear and rub off. Book bindings crack and break. Staples and paper clips rust.