Monitoring Technology during the Consolidation of Waterlogged wood Cultural Relics
Dublin Core
Title
Monitoring Technology during the Consolidation of Waterlogged wood Cultural Relics
Description
Waterlogged wood cultural relics often need consolidation before drying to prevent shrinkage and cracking of
the object. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), as one of the commonly used consolidating agents, is widely used in
archaeological wood consolidation. The moderately degraded archaeological wood samples from the Nanhai
No.1 shipwreck, were treated with PEG solution in equipment with the simultaneous incorporation of
consolidant spray and immersion. In order to monitor the effect of consolidation, this study analysed the
morphological structure, chemical structure, water states, and water content of untreated and PEG-treated
archaeological wood. Herein, non-destructive methods involved an ultra-depth-of-field three-dimensional video
microscope, attenuated total refraction Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and low-field
nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). Results showed that the band at 3400 cm−1 reduced notably after PEG
spray and immersion and the content of free water utilizing LF-NMR analysis was related to the amount of PEG
impregnation. These values had the potential to monitor and assess the consolidation of waterlogged wood
cultural relics, which suggested the PEG 2000 solution is better than either immersion or spray treatment, while
the PEG 4000 solution is more suitable for immersion treatment. During the conservation process, the
consolidation condition can be preliminarily assessed by using non-destructive testing methods, which helps to
adjust the protection method in time.
the object. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), as one of the commonly used consolidating agents, is widely used in
archaeological wood consolidation. The moderately degraded archaeological wood samples from the Nanhai
No.1 shipwreck, were treated with PEG solution in equipment with the simultaneous incorporation of
consolidant spray and immersion. In order to monitor the effect of consolidation, this study analysed the
morphological structure, chemical structure, water states, and water content of untreated and PEG-treated
archaeological wood. Herein, non-destructive methods involved an ultra-depth-of-field three-dimensional video
microscope, attenuated total refraction Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and low-field
nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). Results showed that the band at 3400 cm−1 reduced notably after PEG
spray and immersion and the content of free water utilizing LF-NMR analysis was related to the amount of PEG
impregnation. These values had the potential to monitor and assess the consolidation of waterlogged wood
cultural relics, which suggested the PEG 2000 solution is better than either immersion or spray treatment, while
the PEG 4000 solution is more suitable for immersion treatment. During the conservation process, the
consolidation condition can be preliminarily assessed by using non-destructive testing methods, which helps to
adjust the protection method in time.
Creator
Jiajun Wang
Naisheng Li
Jing Du
Xuanwei Zhang
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Wang, Jiajun, Naisheng Li, Jing Du, and Xuanwei Zhang. 2023. “Monitoring Technology during the Consolidation of Waterlogged wood Cultural Relics.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, and T. Kurt Knoerl. In Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/2015
Files
Citation
Jiajun Wang
et al., “Monitoring Technology during the Consolidation of Waterlogged wood Cultural Relics,” APCONF-MUCH Proceedings Recently Added Items, accessed October 24, 2026, https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/items/show/643.