Studies on the degradation of horn, antler and ivory at archaeological sites
Horn, antler and ivory were in use extensively in the past. Prior to the synthesis of modern plastics these materials all had workable properties which made them extremely useful. The survival of these materials in the archaeological record is rare in comparison to the frequency of their use in the past, and this is made worse by the fact that they are also difficult to conserve. The literature suggests that study of these materials has been limited and that the methods of treating them after excavation are inadequate. A better understanding of the degradation of these materials within the environment and new methods of conservation treatment are needed. Furthermore, in order to identify the causes of degradation and the consequences for successful conservation, more research is needed into the nature and monitoring of the burial environment. Four different burial sites were selected for use in the study and their physical and chemical environments monitored and evaluated. Analogue samples of red deer antler, cattle horn and elephant ivory were buried at each site and retrieved after fixed time periods. Retrieved samples were analysed by weight loss, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microprobe analysis,
Simpson, Paul
Biology
Studies on the degradation of horn, antler and ivory at archaeological sites. Horn, antler and ivory were in use extensively in the past. Prior to the synthesis of modern plastics these materials all had workable properties which made them extremely useful. The survival of these materials in the archaeological record is rare in comparison to the frequency of their use in the past, and this is made worse by the fact that they are also difficult to conserve. The literature suggests that study of these materials has been limited and that the methods of treating them after excavation are inadequate. A better understanding of the degradation of these materials within the environment and new methods of conservation treatment are needed. Furthermore, in order to identify the causes of degradation and the consequences for successful conservation, more research is needed into the nature and monitoring of the burial environment. Four different burial sites were selected for use in the study and their physical and chemical environments monitored and evaluated. Analogue samples of red deer antler, cattle horn and elephant ivory were buried at each site and retrieved after fixed time periods. Retrieved samples were analysed by weight loss, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microprobe analysis,
studies degradation horn antler ivory archaeological_site horn antler ivory use_extensively past prior synthesis modern plastic material workable property make extremely useful survival material archaeological_record rare comparison frequency use past make bad fact also difficult conserve literature suggest study material limit method treat excavation inadequate good degradation material within environment new_method conservation treatment need furthermore order_identify cause degradation consequence successful conservation need nature monitor burial_environment four_different burial_site select use study physical_chemical environment monitor evaluate analogue sample red deer antler cattle horn elephant ivory bury site retrieve fixed time_period sample analyse weight loss scan_electron_microscopy sem microprobe analysis