Formation processes in underwater archaeology : a study of chemical and biological deterioration
Archaeological formation processes involve the interactions whereby intrusive human induced evidence reaches a state of balance with its environment. Archaeological material in seawater is subject to a particularly complex set of formation influences because of the range of physical, chemical and biological factors concerned. Controlled experiments were conducted in the laboratory and on three submerged sites in British waters over 52 weeks to determine which chemical and biological processes were responsible for the deterioration of a range of modern organic materials and metals. Understanding the effects these processes had on the materials would enable better interpretation of the submerged archaeological record. In addition, by understanding the environmental factors which affected the deterioration of the materials, it would be possible to suggest methods to mitigate there effects and facilitate better in situ stabilisation and preservation of submerged sites. The results showed that the two categories of material were deteriorated by quite different processes. Essentially the organic materials were subject to biodeterioration through successive colonisation by micro and macro organisms and algae. The
Gregory, David John
Formation processes in underwater archaeology : a study of chemical and biological deterioration. Archaeological formation processes involve the interactions whereby intrusive human induced evidence reaches a state of balance with its environment. Archaeological material in seawater is subject to a particularly complex set of formation influences because of the range of physical, chemical and biological factors concerned. Controlled experiments were conducted in the laboratory and on three submerged sites in British waters over 52 weeks to determine which chemical and biological processes were responsible for the deterioration of a range of modern organic materials and metals. Understanding the effects these processes had on the materials would enable better interpretation of the submerged archaeological record. In addition, by understanding the environmental factors which affected the deterioration of the materials, it would be possible to suggest methods to mitigate there effects and facilitate better in situ stabilisation and preservation of submerged sites. The results showed that the two categories of material were deteriorated by quite different processes. Essentially the organic materials were subject to biodeterioration through successive colonisation by micro and macro organisms and algae. The
formation_process underwater archaeology study chemical biological deterioration archaeological formation_process involve interaction whereby intrusive human induce evidence reach state balance environment archaeological_material subject particularly complex set formation influence range physical_chemical biological factor concern controlled conduct laboratory submerge site british water determine chemical biological process responsible deterioration range modern organic_material metal effect process material would enable good interpretation submerge_archaeological record addition environmental_factor affect deterioration material would possible suggest method mitigate effect facilitate good situ stabilisation preservation submerge site show category material deteriorate quite_different process essentially organic_material subject successive colonisation micro macro organism