Scientific Analysis and Conservation of Waterlogged Woods Excavated from Suyoeng-ri Site, Hwaseong, Korea

Abstract

Five waterlogged wood artefacts were excavated from Suyeong-ri site in Hwaseong, South Korea. The aim of the present study was to identify the species and estimate the date of manufacture and the manufacturing method of these artefacts. The study also aimed to conserve the original shapes of waterlogged wood artefacts by using the vacuum freeze drying method. The two large waterlogged woods were identified as Ulmus spp. and Morus spp., whereas one of the three small waterlogged woods was identified as Abies spp. and the other two as hard pine. Radiocarbon dating using wiggle match dated the manufacturing of these wooden artefacts between BCE 8520-8490 or BCE 8470-8290 in the Neolithic age, and a similar period was also confirmed for seed excavated from a place close to the location where the waterlogged wood artefacts were excavated. The surface of waterlogged wood artefacts had several traces of manufacturing processes - traces of tearing and chopping - were observed. Based on these observations, it was confirmed that stone adz was used to make these wooden artefacts. Thereafter, the waterlogged wood samples were conserved by immersing them into PEG#4,000 of concentration in water from 10% to 40% at room temperature(15~25℃) and subjecting them to vacuum freeze drying. However, the internal moisture was not completely removed in some thick parts of waterlogged woods by applying the general schedule such as raising the shelf temperature as the surface temperature rises. Therefore, additional study is required using the schedule-method for vacuum freeze drying of large waterlogged wood.