287-295

Conservation of ancient waterlogged wood with the polyethylene glycole method

Σύμμεικτα

• Ασημένος, Κωστής

In the summer of 1977 a wooden pot, broken in five pieces, was found in an ancient well at Megalopolis by the Epimelete Mr. G. Steinhauer. The pot was taken to the Laboratory of the National Archaeological Museum for conservation.The P.E.G. method of conservation was selected for the following reasons:1. P.E.G. is a non-toxic substance,2. it can be removed at any time by a solvent,3. the method does not take up many hours of the conservator’s time every day,4. P.E.G. is an inexpensive material. A stainless steel tank was built and the outside was insulated with “ felisol”. This was filled with water and two electrical heaters of 1000 W each were connected to two thermostats and then the heaters were immersed in the water. A small tank with enamelled interior was filled with 10% P.E.G. solution and placed in the steel tank. The pieces of wood were washed and placed in a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide in order to destroy the organic colouring substances. Then they were immersed in water containing sodium pentachlorophaenate in order to prevent the growth of microorganisms in the wood. The wood was then placed in the tank containing the P.E.G. so- jUtion which was at room temperature. The temperature of the solution was gradually raised to 70° over a period of twelve weeks. The water evaporating from the solution was replaced first with 10% P.E.G. solution, then with 30% and finally with 50%.After the water had completely evaporated, the wood remained for yet another three weeks in the melt of the P.E.G. at 70° C.The wood was then removed, wiped with a cloth, carefully washed on the surface with pure alcohol and glued together with P.E.G. melt. The wooden pot was ready to be placed on exhibit.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία
• Κλασσικές αρχαιότητες

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