Restoration and conservation of amber objects from Middle Bronze Age burial mounds

Abstract

One facet of a restoration project of archaeological finds from Middle Bronze Age grave mounds excavated between 2008 and 2009 centred on the conservation of amber beads preserved in wet conditions. After a summary of the significant archaeological findings from the excavation, this article mainly focuses on the amber artifacts. The diagenesis and decay processes of amber, as well as the various man-made modifications of the material are studied against the background of modern conservation practices that are used for a stabile preservation of the material. The state of preservation of the amber artifacts discovered in wet conditions raised new questions concerning the choice of methods used for their conservation. After a detailed examination of the approximately 250 amber objects, water was replaced by treating the artifacts with a solution of polyethylene glycol in increasing concentrations. The objects were then dried before being maintained at a constant relative humidity of 55% and sealed in with oxygen absorbers. The detailed documentation of the excavation and of the restoration process enabled a virtual reconstruction of the amber necklace following the completion of the conservation work.
A. N. Hartswick (ASM)