WG 18 - Characterisation, preservation, and management of archaeological sites

This document provides guidelines for the characterization of waterlogged archaeological wood to support decision-making processes for its preservation.
This document can be applied for the management of wood discovered in waterlogged environments, including terrestrial and aquatic (marine and freshwater) sites, as a basis for designing conservation strategies (e.g. reburial, in situ preservation, post-excavation storage). In the case of composite artefacts made of wood and other materials, this document is applicable only for the wooden components. Methods for conservation, site protection and monitoring for reburial as well as in situ preservation are beyond the scope of this document.

This document describes assessments recommended for in situ preservation and monitoring of archaeological sites. It sets out the main parameters used to assess the state of preservation of archaeological materials and evaluate the environmental conditions of archaeological deposits and provides a framework for monitoring sites. A decision-making framework is included to help readers make appropriate knowledge-based choices.
The procedures described are appropriate for terrestrial, wetland or underwater archaeological sites. They will not necessarily be relevant to all archaeological sites, and the level of assessment required and the resources needed are expected to be balanced with and proportionate to the significance and complexity of the site and the scale of any proposed changes.
The informative annexes relate primarily to terrestrial sites; for detailed technical guidance on investigating and monitoring underwater sites, see sasmap.eu.
NOTE Underwater sites include all underwater sites and those in the intertidal zone.

This European standard provides guidelines for safeguarding waterlogged wood on terrestrial sites of archaeological or historical significance. It 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. The standard cannot be applied to the management of  controlled reburial, in situ preservation, long term post excavation storage or excavations under water. Composite artefacts, and other waterlogged materials are specifically excluded from this standard.