What is BS EN 16873 – Conservation of cultural heritage about?
Wooden remains are significant because they document the primary raw material used for constructions, artefacts, and fuel over the majority of human history. To gain a better knowledge of the larger landscape, wood can be analysed in conjunction with other palaeoenvironmental data sources.
BS EN 16873 provides guidelines for safeguarding waterlogged wood on terrestrial sites of archaeological or historical significance. BS EN 16873 deals with the protection of archaeological and historical waterlogged wood, from the time of exposure during and after excavation, until it reaches the conservation laboratory.
Note 1: BS EN 16873 cannot be applied to the management of controlled reburial, in situ preservation, long term post-excavation storage or excavations underwater.
Note 2: Composite artefacts and other waterlogged materials are specifically excluded from BS EN 16873.
Who is BS EN 16873 – Conservation of cultural heritage for?
BS EN 16873 on the management of waterlogged wood on archaeological terrestrial sites is useful for:
- Research personnel
- Museums
- Cultural Heritage Institutions
Why should you use BS EN 16873 – Conservation of cultural heritage?
The successful management of archaeological wood finds from waterlogged sites starts in the planning phase of any excavation. From the moment of exposure, waterlogged wood finds are extremely vulnerable to a range of man-made and natural threats. There is a real risk of losing the artefact if it is not handled and conserved properly. To minimize these threats and prevent damage, several actions shall be taken in the field which shall include proper management of the site and handling of the finds.
These activities should be carried out by professionals, specifically qualified in the management and handling of waterlogged archaeological wood. The aim of BS EN 16873 is to be a management tool, describing procedures for the management of waterlogged wood on archaeological terrestrial sites. Using BS EN 16873 you can provide guidelines for safeguarding waterlogged wood on terrestrial sites of archaeological or historical significance.
