Physical characteristics of the wood from the excavations of the ancient port of Pisa

Abstract

This paper outlines the physical characterisation of findings of woods from the excavation of the Etruscan–Roman ancient harbour of Pisa. The physical characterisation deals with measurements of wood density, shrinkages and maximum water content. The measurements are performed with a methodology specifically set up for the archaeological wet material, not applicable as standardised international methodologies. Physical characterisation is necessary to measure the wood decay, through a useful decay index, and to define the consolidation strategies for the recovery of the wooden findings, for their conservation and enjoyment. Results confirm the high decay of wood samples, probably due to the almost complete loss of the cellulose fraction of the cell walls, shown by the very low basic density (average value less than 0.2 g/cm 3) and the high water content (more than 500%). The parameter of the residual basic density seems less useful for the identification of the consolidation strategy.