The Hoko Alder: A Wood Technological Approach to the Conservation of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood

Archaeological wet sites are permanently water saturated archaeo­logical deposits, usually containing preserved perishable materials. Wooden artifacts recovered from wet sites often retain their original size, shape, and surface characteristics. This makes them excellent objects for archaeological study and museum display. However, the cellular structure of the wood is deteriorated. As it dries excessive dimensional change may occur, distorting characteristics that are desirable to archaeologists. It is necessary, therefore, to dimen­sionally stabilize this wood before it can be stored or displayed.