Conservation/Restoration

In this diploma thesis, the mountain crystal distribution was examined on the basis of the Mesolithic and Neolithic find spots in Western Austria, South Tyrol and the Trentino. The analysis focused on a comparison of both levels of civilisation, since the rock crystal stock show apparent differences. All in all, 93 find spots, where artefacts made of mountain crystal were found, were listed in the area under investigation. In this context the fissure on the Riepenkar in the Ziller Valley was the key focus of the examinations, because this feature turned out to be especially well-suited to reveal some impressive information on the use of mountain crystal for the lithic industry.

Content of this bachelor thesis is the examination of the block excavation of grave 216 from a Saxon cemetery (4-6 c. AD) at Immenbeck near Buxtehude in the district of Stade, Niedersachsen. The aim was to uncover the block and develop a concept for the conservation and restoration of the objects held within that are two bronze fibulas, one silver ring, one looped pendant, a large quantity of glass and amber beads as well as several other fragments of organic and inorganic materials of unknown function. The concept is based on the surface cleaning of the glass and amber beads and also on measures to consolidate the metal objects to secure some adhering textile fragments for further research purposes.

Thema der Bakkalaureatsarbeit ist die archäologische Auswertung eines bronzezeitlichen Brandopferplatzes in Saalfelden-Taxau, der unter der Leitung von Dr. Robert Krauß vom Heimatmuseum Schloss Ritzen in Saalfelden im April 2006 ergraben wurde.

This thesis focuses on the analysis of 104 fabric fragments from late antique Egypt preserved in the study collection of the HTW Berlin. Formerly, the fragments have been kept as fabric samples in the private collection of Detlef Lehmann. In the course of this work, they are examined for their materiality and object history starting with an introduction to the state of research of the so-called 'Coptic' textiles and their significance in terms of cultural history. The scientific study of the fabrics comprises an evaluation of their condition and the analysis of their consistency of animal und plant fibres using scanning electron microscopes, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometers, microchemical analysis, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Here, traces of binders as a result of the mounting in the Lehmann collection are detected. Also, the fibres show several states of degradation, mainly the woollen ones. For the materials a differentiated use of fibres can be recognized including sheep and camel wool as well as linen fibres. For selected objects a measurement of wool fibre fineness is conducted showing that 'Coptic' textiles vary considerably in terms of wool quality. This leads to a more complex view on late antique wool economy. Finally, the thesis concludes with a comment on conservation options towards the fabric samples within the study collection of the HTW.

Bodies and glazes of tiles from the Ilkhanid period found at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Takht-e Soleyman were studied to identify materials and certain technical characteristics of the architectural ceramics as part of a larger project to establish different productions. In addition, ceramic vessels and technical ceramics excavated at the site were analysed for comparison. µXRF, SEM/EDX, and Raman spectroscopy were used for the material investigations. Qualitative non-invasive µXRF results allowed for categorisation of the glazes and ceramic bodies based on their overall composition. Quantitative analysis by SEM/EDX on a subset of the samples delivered detailed results on the bodies and glazes. Tiles, made from clay or stonepaste, were almost exclusively decorated with a mixed alkaline lead glaze. The PbO content of this type of glaze ranged from 8 wt% to 25 wt%. The clay bodies of some tiles corresponded to the material of the locally used kiln furniture. Moreover, glaze residues preserved on the kiln furniture proved to be from a mixed lead alkaline glaze with a PbO content of 15 wt% to 25 wt%, a composition that is comparable to the tiles’ glazes. For more insights into the local or regional production of the tiles, supplementary in-depth studies including petrographic analysis would be needed to confirm and further specify the results.