Consolidation and Dehydration of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood from Site Huaguangjiao No.1

The Huaguangjiao I is an ancient Chinese wooden shipwreck from the South Song Dynasty (AD 1127–1279) discovered in China Sea 1996. first phase of its conservation, desalination and desulfurization, was completed 2016. In this paper, three archaeological wood samples exhibiting different degrees deterioration No. 1 were consolidated with PEG-4000 dehydrated via freeze drying supercritical CO2 methods. dimensional stability, hygroscopicity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) used to evaluate effects consolidation dehydration. results showed that PEG4000 efficient material also effectively decreased shrinkage during Furthermore, both vacuum-freeze methods for treating waterlogged wood. After impregnation, percentage became slightly lower than sound moisture absorption experimental specimens ranged within 3.35%–4.53%, they comprised 50% wood, resulting a marked improvement stability. FTIR spectra indicated impregnation improved stability by reducing hydrophilic groups. These show method can treat preservation purposes.