Consolidation of low-fired porous ceramic - a vessel complex found in Selchow, Lkr. Dahme-Spreewald, Brandenburg

Abstract

The paper deals with the recovery and conservation of a large ceramic vessel from the Neolithic found in Selchow in 2007. During conservation it soon became clear that there were at least four vessels put into one another. Because of the fragile condition of the vessels, an extensive conservation treatment was necessary. The focus of the paper lies on the assemblage of fragments to obtain the original form of this very rare type of ceramic vessels for further archaeological investigation and exhibition. Established ceramic consolidants are discussed, and a series of tests with different highly-concentrated consolidants shall show which one will lead to a good conservation.