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Eco-Archæometry and Conservation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

G. Burns and
A.N. Bond
G. Burns
Affiliation:
Archæometric Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1Al
A.N. Bond
Affiliation:
Department of English, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S lAl
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Abstract

In recent years there has been considerable progress in archaological excavation in various parts of the world. However, and especially in developing countries, much of the newlyexcavated and culturally significant antiquities deteriorates, often precipitously, irreversibly and unexpectedly, soon after excavation is completed. By analyzing opinions of specialists concerned with these deteriorations it is concluded that the discipline of practical conservation is structured in such a way that it can provide, at least for the present, only limited care for much of the recently excavated cultural heritage. This occurs to a significant degree because the discipline of archceologicalf ield conservation (which deals with the preservation of archaological sites and monuments situatedon these sites) is still in its infancy. The development of the discipline of field conservation can be considerably enhanced by efforts of environmental scientists because most of the deterioration is due to some adverse impact of the environment. This task is now the goal of the subdiscipline of environmental archaological science, often abbreviated asecoarchaeometry, which deals with the physics, geology and chemistry (be it biological, inorganic, organic or physical) of the deterioration of our cultural heritage. Eco-archwuometry is in a position to develop cost-effective shortcuts to the efficient salvage of deteriorating antiquities. Examples of eco-archwometric studies in Egypt, which already produced constructive results, are provided.

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Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 352: Symposium – Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology IV , 1995, 31
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

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References

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