• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.19
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• pp.19-30
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• 2006

Alteration of physical and chemical characteristics and the effect of removal of mineral substances in waterlogged archaeological woods by different cleaning processes were examined using oak wood(Quercus spp.) that was excavated from wetland near Gwangju, Korea. Cleaning methods employed in the present work were (1) tools, (2) deaeration, (3) EDTA and (4) ultrasonic cleaning, which are being currently applied in the field of preservation treatment. Cleaning process were performed independently or continuously. Composition of mineral substances in the waterlogged archaeological wood was almost same as the that of soil in which waterlogged archaeological woods were buried. In case of independent cleaning, tools cleaning efficiently removed the mineral substances on surface. Surface color become brighter after cleaning with EDTA. In contrast, deaeration and ultrasonic cleaning did not show any significant removal of mineral substances. In continuous cleaning process, tool cleaning as the first step treatment showed the same effect as shown in independent cleaning. Although deaeration as the second step cleaning did not remove the mineral substances, it could be assumed to contribute the infiltration of dimensional agents by homogenization of wood. EDTA treatment (the third step cleaning) removed the iron(Fe) and increased the whiteness of wood color. The ultrasonic treatment (the fourth step cleaning) removed the sodium(Na) remained after EDTA treatment and the fine mineral substances.