Advances in Understanding Microbial Deterioration of Buried and Waterlogged Archaeological Woods: A Review

This review provides information on the advances made leading to an understanding of micromorphological patterns produced during microbial degradation lignified cell walls buried and waterlogged archaeological woods. knowledge not only serves as important diagnostic signature for identifying type(s) attacks present in such woods but also aids development targeted methods more effective preservation/restoration wooden objects historical cultural importance. In this review, outline chemical ultrastructural characteristics wood is first presented, which a base relationship these lignocellulosic walls. The three different types attacks—soft rot, bacterial tunnelling erosion—reported be are described. Then, relevance decay preservation artifacts discussed, with final section proposing research areas future exploration.