The Archaeological chemical laboratory wing is functioning in this Department from 1980 onwards to preserve the monuments,antiques like bronze images, copper plates, coins, terracotta, stucco and paintings etc.,The corroded portion of the metal antiquities made of gold, silver and copper are carefully removed and chemically treated. Organic material viz. palm leaves, wooden artefacts and manuscripts etc that are affected by oil, dust and insects are also chemically treated.

The archaeological artefacts collected from exploration and excavation are chemically conserved in the department chemical laboratories functioning at Chennai and Madurai. These chemically treated antiques are displayed for public in 14 site museums which create a general awareness about our past history.