Page 103 - TINA Dergi Sayi 08

TINA

Maritime Archaeology Periodical

pEG impregnation of wooden artifacts in our labo- ans it is saturated. Even though a number is written on
ratory is done in two ways; single-stage pEG impreg- the artifact, a visible label without any need to open the
nation and two-stage pEG impregnation. In the initial package must also be tied onto the mouth of the bag.
stages of absorption starting with a low concentration During storage, the most important point is to ensure
percentage, Exocide 1012, a biocide with a content of that the artifact is best preserved in the area where it
0.01%, is added to the pEG solution to prevent bacte- will stay for many years. Moisture, extreme heat chan-
ria and fungi formation. With the same amount of pEG ges, dust and pests are detrimental for the artifact. It
added at regular intervals, the concentration is grad- should be ensured that the shelves on which the arti-
ually increased to 70-80%. After the concentration is facts are placed are secure and safe, and that they are
stabilized in these fractions, the woods are taken to dry made of materials that do not produce acid and dama-
slowly. After all the work on the artifact is completed, ged by various insects.
photographs of the artifact are taken after the proce- Because these studies require very long processes,
dure, and drawings are made by an illustrator. These they require great patience and most importantly, love.
drawings are used both for publication and providing Work should be carried out by great care by keeping in
some details that are not very clear in the photo (Fig. mind that artifacts can be completely lost in the sligh-
23-24). test mistake. We carry out our studies in the INA labo-
Artifacts with completed conservation and restora- ratories with a team of people who are fully aware of
tion work should be packed correctly before they are these facts. (Fig. 26).
removed to the warehouse. First, the artifact is wrapped I would like to thank all of our friends who work de-
in a special paper that does contain acid, packed into votedly in the INA – Institute of Nautical Archeology
locked plastic bags and packaged to prevent it from be- Laboratories as well as the General Directorate of Cul-
ing shaken (Fig. 25). By placing silica gel on one side tural Assets and Museums for granting us the necessary
of these packages, the moisture balance of the artifact permissions, the Directorate of the Bodrum Underwa-
should be maintained. However, the color change in ter Archeology Museum for providing us with facili-
these silica gels should be checked regularly. Silica gels ties and support, and the TINA Turkish Foundation for
attract moisture and lose their function after saturated. Underwater Archeology for procurement of some of the
When the blue silica gel begins to turn into pink, it me- materials we use during our studies.

Fig. 25

Fig. 26
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