Abstract
In 2008, a medieval wooden shipwreck was discovered at the port of Rhodes, Greece. The shipwreck was party burned, presenting a challenge for conservators, as uncharred, semi-charred and charred waterlogged wood were often encountered on the same piece of timber. In seeking the most appropriate conservation method for this unusual material, its chemical characterization was considered necessary. This study examined the chemistry of the three dominant wood conditions found in the wreck. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were implemented in comparison to reference samples. Energy dispersive analysis was also used for assessing the inorganic composition of each condition. Moreover, for charred and semi-charred wood, proximate analysis was undertaken. Results obtained regarding the organic moieties of the waterlogged archaeological material, demonstrated that charred samples were chemically comparable to charcoals, semi-charred material showed similarity to thermally modified wood, whereas uncharred waterlogged wood was proven to have an analogous chemistry to biodeteriorated wood. Elemental analysis results also diversified among the three shipwreck’s conditions. Sulfur, iron, and oxygen decreased in charred areas, whereas carbon increased. Proximate analysis showed that ash and fixed carbon content increased with charring, whereas volatile mater decreased. This work proved major chemical differences among shipwreck timbers’ conditions owing to different degree of charring. These are anticipated to influence not only conservation methods’ efficacy, but also the post-treatment behavior of the material. Further investigation is needed for correlating the chemistry of the archaeological material to its physical properties in order to contribute to practical aspects of conservation.
Highlights
During a routine survey in 2008, a late-12th-century ship was discovered at the commercial port of Rhodes by the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities [1,2]
Waterlogged wood examined in this study belonged to a wreck’s frame made of Pinus halepensis Mill. (Aleppo pine) or Pinus brutia Ten. (Turkish pine) [1]
Three distinct conditions, consisting of uncharred, semi-charred, and charred wood, were documented which were directly related to the fire heat flux and the surrounding oxygen concentration
Summary
During a routine survey in 2008, a late-12th-century ship was discovered at the commercial port of Rhodes by the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities [1,2]. It is documented that these alterations depend on variables related on the wood, such as density, moisture content, permeability, species, size, grain direction, and surface protection [7,9], and on the heating scenario, which incorporates the heat flux (temperature and duration) and the environment surrounding the wood like the oxygen concentration [7,9,10,11,12,13] All these factors which influence pyrolysis, combustion, and the charring rate of wood justify the coexistence of charred, semi-charred, and uncharred wood in the shipwreck. This study was set to characterize the chemistry of this dissimilarly charred material in order to help understand its behavior and provide insights towards the development of a successful conservation method
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
