New restoration technique for waterlogged archaeological wood

1. New restoration technique for waterlogged archaeological wood Speaker: dr. Rebecca Ippoliti Contento Trade srl - ITALY Research Center in the Environmental Sector www.contentotrade.com

2. The waterlogged wood and its problems • - there are many wood boats and furnishing still below the sea, of high historical and archaeological value • - this wood contains water (till 90 % of the dry wood mass) • cellulose dissolves in water during the long immersion • during a traditional desiccation treatment the wood • shrinks, cracks and its structure collapses.

3. The new Arkè technology • Consists in 4 main treatment phases: 1. Evaluation of the degradation level of the wood 2. Impregnation of the wood with modified starch and derivatives • D.D.C.V. treatment • Final equilibration • To these phases it’s possible to add a fifth one for the improvement of the museal exposition of the treated object: • - superficial treatment of the object • - structural consolidation

4. Arkè technology Is based on the research carried on during a Craft WEST project (Wood Exploitation by using Starch Impregnation and D.I.C. Technology, n. ENV 4 CY 98 0767), and aims at treating the waterlogged wood. Afterward the technology was improved and exploited at industrial level with a national project funded by a the Italian Ministry of Research. This technology is patented. Other restoration techniques are available, but our technology has these enormous advantages.

5. Arkè technology • Advantages • Surprising aesthetic results ! • Consistent reduction in treatment duration • Complete reversibility of the treatment • Re-building of a wood structure similar to the original one • Satisfying resistance to fungi and bacterial attack • Ecological: no solvent use and low energy consumption • Possibility to treat big dimension objects • Present limitation • Advisable application to wood with MWC < 600 % • Needs appropriate exposition conditions (controlled moisture and temperature variation, efficient ventilation system)

6. Arkè innovative plant The first industrial plant is located in Salerno (Italy) by the company created from the projects valorization “Legni & Segni della Memoria” (www.legniesegni.it/home.htm) and treats wood objects and elements of any kind of essence with dimension of 5 x 1 x 1 meters, such as boats pirogues wood statues.

7. Arkè plants Impregnation chamber D.D.C.V. chamber

8. Arkè plant Running impregnation chamber

9. Results obtained with the Arkè method Waterlogged wood before Arkè treatment… … and after Arkè treatment .

10. Results obtained with the Arkè method Waterlogged wood before Arkè treatment… … and after Arkè Treatment .

11. Results obtained with the Arkè method A detail of a treated wood: no color alteration and excellent preservation of joints and nails

12. Results obtained with the Arkè method A detail of a treated wood: no color alteration and excellent preservation of original hand-work on the boat

13. Results obtained with the Arkè technology A detail of a treated wood: microscopical demonstration of preservation of the integrity of cellular walls on a treated wood samples

14. Roman boats : restoration and exposition in Olbia (IT) Wood statues: restoration and exposition

15. New possible joint ventures • After the creation of the first successful industrial plant in Salerno (IT) we want to spread this technology in Europe to Institution and Experts involved in waterlogged wood restoration. • This technology is suitable to restore: • Wood churches • Pileworks and palafitte • - Boats, pirogues and wood objects Contact: Maria Pia Contento Contento Trade srl - ITALY www.contentotrade.com