Reburial research

Preservation through reburial is an effective strategy for cultural sites, and information exists that identifies broad categories of fill type, materials and the below-ground physico-chemical and biological conditions that favour survival of cultural artefacts. This apart, relatively little systematic research and testing has been undertaken on the reburial of archaeological materials under alternating wet—dry conditions, which pertain in many areas of the world where rich archaeological resources exist that are also a focus of excavation. Preliminary field research and testing was undertaken at the site of Port Selden, New Mexico, over an approximate eighteen-month period in 1995–1996 as a precursor to intended longer-term experiments. The ultimate objective was to determine optimal conditions for designed reburial interventions of archaeological materials. Testing was done in pits and on the ground and utilized a standard artefact comprised of adobe and lime as well as several indicator materials (wood, textile, brass). The problems associated with the design of the experiment, instruments and monitoring are discussed, as well as findings relevant to current practice and future testing. The eighteen-month preliminary testing itself followed an earlier (1988) reburial test at Fort Selden in which adobe walls were buried. The results of this test wall experiment are also included here, as they are pertinent to an understanding of the behaviour of earthen architectural materials in the reburial environment

Archaeology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Building materials and conservation · Computer Science · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Engineering · History · Mathematics

• Agnew, Neville

  Open Access•Neville Agnew•Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology•2020

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