The Influences of the Anatomical Structure and Deterioration State of Wood from a Qing Dynasty Shipwreck on Wood Color After the Consolidation Treatment

The waterlogged archaeological wood from the 'Xiaobaijiao I' shipwreck were used as the representative to investigate the influences of the wood anatomical structure, the deterioration state and consolidants type on wood color after the consolidation treatment. Results showed that consolidants improved the dimensional stability of waterlogged wood. The waterlogged Hopea wood displayed the larger change of color than those of waterlogged Tectona wood. Besides, the wood color after the consolidation treatment became dark progressively as the increase in the weight percentage gain of the consolidants or the worse preservation state of archaeological wood. The variations in colorimetric parameters of archaeological wood samples after the consolidation treatment, were mainly resulted from the different molecular weights and molecular structures. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of waterlogged archaeological wooden artifacts in China.