| Title: |
Reburial of shipwrecks in marine sediments:
|
| Subtitle: |
a long-term study on wood degradation |
| Issue: |
J Archaeol Sci 35 (4) |
| Series: |
Journal of Archaeological Science
|
| Volume: |
35
(4)
|
| Page Start/End: |
862 - 872 |
| Biblio Note |
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|
| Publication Type: |
Journal
|
| Abstract: |
Historical shipwrecks in marine environments are continuously decomposed by wood-degrading organisms, adapted to this specific environment. To protect the wrecks from degradation and to preserve the unique remains for future generations, reburial of wrecks using various covering materials has been suggested as a long-term preservation method. The following experiment was carried out to study the bio-protective effect of sediment. Sound oak, pine, and birch samples were buried above and within marine sediment in Marstrand harbour, and retrieved for analysis after six, twelve, twenty-four, and thirty-six months. Macroscopic as well as light-microscopic examinations were carried out on each occasion. Marine borers (shipworm, Limnoria), soft rot and tunnelling bacteria were wood degraders immediately above the seabed; soft rot, tunnelling bacteria, and erosion bacteria were active 10 cm below the seabed; erosion bacteria were the only degraders at a depth of 43 cm below the seabed. The wood species had different durability towards the decay agents. After three years, wood samples above the seabed were totally decomposed, whereas wood was highly protected at 43 cm depth in sediment. In the sediment, decay decreased significantly with depth of burial. The results suggest that reburial of shipwrecks in marine sediment can be recommended as a simple and efficient method for long-term preservation of the wooden cultural heritage. |
| Year of Publication: |
2008
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
|
FUNERARY SITE
(Monument Type England)
|
| Wood (Auto Detected Subject) |
| Oak Pine (Auto Detected Subject) |
| Birch Samples (Auto Detected Subject) |
|
| Source: |
BIAB
(The British & Irish Archaeological Bibliography (BIAB))
|
| Relations: |
|
| Created Date: |
23 Jul 2008 |
