A review of microbial decay types found in wooden objects of cultural heritage recovered from buried and waterlogged environments

Singh, Adya P.

doi:10.1016/j.culher.2012.04.002

Cited by 63 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…A decrease in the peak area of levoglucosan, a product of the thermal degradation of cellulose, suggests that the cellulose component of the wood has certainly been degraded. The most commonly observed biological degraders of wood in waterlogged or aquatic environments are bacteria, fungi playing a lesser role than is typically observed in other burial environments 35–38 . Typical bacterial wood degraders preferentially attack the carbohydrate components, with limited modification of the lignin component 14,25,35,39 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deterioration of the Hanson Logboat: chemical and imaging assessment with removal of polyethylene glycol conserving agent

Pinder

Panter

Abbott

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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The state of preservation of wood in two samples from the Hanson Logboat, currently on display in Derby Museum and Art Gallery, was analysed using elemental analysis (EA), pyrolysis–gas chromatography/flame ionisation detection (Py-GC/FID), pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples were collected in 2003, after the boat had undergone conservation, and in 2011 after the condition of the boat began to deteriorate. Solvent extraction enabled removal of polyethylene glycol, with which the wood had been impregnated during conservation, allowing the degradation of the cellulose and lignin polymeric components of the woods to be assessed. Elemental compositions (C, H, N, O, S), Py–GC/FID, Py-GC/MS and SEM imaging reveal extensive degradation of the wood polymers during the eight year period since conservation.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deterioration of the Hanson Logboat: chemical and imaging assessment with removal of polyethylene glycol conserving agent

Pinder

Panter

Abbott

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…However, particular burial environments can guarantee the survival of wood, as they decelerate the action of microorganisms. Waterlogged conditions are characterized by low temperatures and oxygen concentrations, which prevent or reduce the action of degrading agents …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Waterlogged conditions are characterized by low temperatures and oxygen concentrations, which prevent or reduce the action of degrading agents. [5] Many analytical techniques have been developed to measure wood deterioration. Physical properties can be tested by measuring residual density and water content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snapshots of lignin oxidation and depolymerization in archaeological wood: an EGA‐MS study

et al. 2015

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Evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) was used for the first time to study archaeological wood, in order to investigate its chemical degradation. The archaeological wood was from an oak pile from a stilt house found in the Neolithic 'La Marmotta' village (Lake Bracciano, Rome, Italy). The sampling was performed from the external to the internal part of the pile, following the annual growth rings in groups of five. In addition, sound oak wood and isolated wood components (holocellulose and cellulose) were also analyzed, and the results were used to highlight differences because of degradation. Our study demonstrated that EGA-MS provides information on the thermo-chemistry of archaeological wood along with in-depth compositional data thanks to the use of MS. Our investigations not only highlighted wood degradation in terms of differences between carbohydrates and lignin content, but also showed that lignin oxidation and depolymerization took place in the archaeological wood. Mass spectral data revealed differences among the archaeological samples from the internal to the external part of the pile. An increase in the formation of wood pyrolysis products bearing a carbonyl group at the benzylic position and a decrease in the amount of lignin dimers were observed. These were related to oxidation and depolymerization reactions, respectively.

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“…According to Scott (1989), the presence of growth rings in gymnosperm taxa increase fragmentation processes. However, we have observed a higher volume of small fragments in angiosperm taxa, probably due to its porous anatomy and a different reaction pattern when exposed to heat (Braadbaart and Poole, 2008) or to stronger bioturbation processes in this kind of woods (Singh, 2012). Recent experiments (Chrzazvez et al, 2014) have shown that porous woods with large vessels or radial pore files (angiosperms) produce more fragments than homogenous wood (gymnosperms) or porous wood with small isolated vessels.…”

Section: Combustion and Mechanical Processesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Neanderthal firewood management: evidence from Stratigraphic Unit IV of Abric del Pastor (Eastern Iberia)

Vidal-Matutano

Hernández

Galván

et al. 2015

Quaternary Science Reviews

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a b s t r a c tThis paper presents anthracological data from Abric del Pastor (Alcoi, Spain), a Middle Paleolithic rock shelter site. Analysis of 1077 wood charcoal remains from Stratigraphic Unit IV (S.U. IV), collected within archaeological combustion structures and from loose sediment outside of structures, allowed us to characterise the local landscape, as well as to approach the interaction between Neanderthal groups and their local environment. Taxonomic identification suggests that firewood was gathered from nearby sources, with predominance of juniper (Juniperus sp.) followed by thermophilous shrubby taxa. Additional analysis focussing on post-depositional processes affecting charcoal have shown features indicative of biodegradation and mechanical action. The results of this study contribute significant anthracological data towards our understanding of Late Pleistocene Mediterranean landscapes and Neanderthal forest management in this region.

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A review of microbial decay types found in wooden objects of cultural heritage recovered from buried and waterlogged environments

Cited by 63 publications

References 15 publications

Deterioration of the Hanson Logboat: chemical and imaging assessment with removal of polyethylene glycol conserving agent

Deterioration of the Hanson Logboat: chemical and imaging assessment with removal of polyethylene glycol conserving agent

Snapshots of lignin oxidation and depolymerization in archaeological wood: an EGA‐MS study

Neanderthal firewood management: evidence from Stratigraphic Unit IV of Abric del Pastor (Eastern Iberia)

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