Low-active forms of cellulosolitic microorganisms in archaeological contexts

Abstract

This article presents the results of the study on low-active forms of cellulosolitic microorganisms in the soils of archaeological sites. The objects of the study were soils with traces of wooden structures in Vyatichi burials (12th century). To date, traces of wood are not visible at the macro level. The data obtained are compared with the results of a laboratory experiment to determine rates of cellulose decomposition in soils from various archaeological contexts. Cellulosolitic activity was determined by the application method. It has been shown that the cellulase activity of soils with traces of burial wooden structures is 20% of the level of modern soils. This suggests the awakening or presence of living, low-active microorganisms that have survived in the soil for 800 years.