- Department of Conservation
University of Gothenburg
Guldhedsgatan 5 A, Gothenburg
Postal address: Box 130, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
Ticca M A Ogilvie
University of Gothenburg, Conservation, Faculty Member
The conservation of a bog body is complex and a challenge for all those involved. A substantial list of requirements needs to be pulled together by the conservator in designing an effective and appropriate conservation strategy for these... more
The conservation of a bog body is complex and a challenge for all
those involved. A substantial list of requirements needs to be pulled
together by the conservator in designing an effective and
appropriate conservation strategy for these rare and important finds.
Past treatments have often been reactive and constrained by lack of
research and testing. Bog body materials are not yet sufficiently
characterized and the level of access for which we are designing
conservation treatments has not been comprehensively anticipated.
This paper examines some of the questions conservators will need
answered before they can design more successful long-term
strategies for the conservation of bog bodies, and makes an attempt
to answer them. In doing so, it places in context past treatments
and hopes to stimulate future research that may aid in improving
the preservation of bog bodies for the future.
those involved. A substantial list of requirements needs to be pulled
together by the conservator in designing an effective and
appropriate conservation strategy for these rare and important finds.
Past treatments have often been reactive and constrained by lack of
research and testing. Bog body materials are not yet sufficiently
characterized and the level of access for which we are designing
conservation treatments has not been comprehensively anticipated.
This paper examines some of the questions conservators will need
answered before they can design more successful long-term
strategies for the conservation of bog bodies, and makes an attempt
to answer them. In doing so, it places in context past treatments
and hopes to stimulate future research that may aid in improving
the preservation of bog bodies for the future.
Research Interests:
An excavation carried out before the redevelopment of 30 Gloucester Lane, Old Market, Bristol, in 2002 recorded an ‘L’-shaped length of a defensive ditch dating from the Civil War period. The ditch would have formed part of the Royalist... more
An excavation carried out before the redevelopment of 30 Gloucester Lane, Old Market, Bristol, in 2002 recorded an ‘L’-shaped length of a defensive ditch dating from the Civil War period. The ditch would have formed part of the Royalist outworks guarding the historic eastern approaches to the City from London and Gloucester. A short time limit and restricted working area prevented full excavation of the ditch; however three sondages into the backfill deposits recovered finds dating from the mid 17th century, including the partial remains of a scabbard. Environmental analysis of samples showed evidence of a waterlogged, weed-infested ditch used for the disposal of food remains. The excavation provided a rare glimpse of an important section of Bristol’s Civil War defences that were briefly the scene of intensive and significant fighting for control of the City, yet for over three hundred years were largely forgotten. The size and location of the ditch would suggest that, as with the villages of Clifton and Bedminster, widespread demolition of surrounding buildings must have occurred between 1643 and 1645 in this outer suburb of Bristol.
Research Interests:
Archaeological oak (Quercus sp.) wood samples, ranging from 16(th) C. AD to 6000 BP, were studied using flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to obtain insight into angiosperm lignin degradation. The pyrolysates revealed... more
Archaeological oak (Quercus sp.) wood samples, ranging from 16(th) C. AD to 6000 BP, were studied using flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to obtain insight into angiosperm lignin degradation. The pyrolysates revealed evidence of a number of 3-methoxy-1,2-benzenediol derivatives, methoxycatechols, directly related to 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, syringyl, moieties which are characteristic building blocks of angiosperm lignin. Mass spectra and mass chromatograms of these compounds are reported. The finding of these characteristic pyrolysis products in well-preserved archaeological wood provides unequivocal evidence that demethylation of syringyl units occurs very early in wood degradation. It is highly likely that the absence of abundant 3-methoxy-1, 2-benzenediols in degrading plant materials containing angiosperm lignin relates to the lability of these newly formed moieties.