In Reply to Neven Peko <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Consdistlist] conservation of mammoth bone and tusk
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hello Neven,
I also just wanted to add my little information to your discussion, if
it helps at all. I recently did a study looking at the mechanisms for
damage and the affect of humidity changes on non-fossilized mammoth
molars, which could have some useful information in it for you, "The
Effect of Relative Humidity on Mammoth Molars." I have put it up on
Academia.edu:(https://www.academia.edu/27784630/Examining_the_Effect_of_Relative_Humidity_on_Mammoth_Molars)
Basically, RH below about 40% causes irreversible damage to the
structure of the teeth, which continues when the teeth are brought
back up to higher relative humidity, a possible reason being that the
teeth slightly powder and break at low humidity which then becomes a
mechanical fulcrum for further damage when the teeth expand again at
higher humidity. I can see this being a concern when trying to dry wet
tusks as well, due to their laminar structure, and when using solvents
that might spot-lower the moisture content (i.e. poulticing, though
that is still probably the best bet to get off old consolidant).
In the field, for emergency conservation of wet-tea-biscuit
consistency bone I have found Rhoplex to be of good use, as you can
spray it on and let it soak in, at least enough to get the bone to a
lab. I don't know if that would apply to your situation though.
Hopefully some of that is helpful and I do hope you find a solution!
All the best,
Danny Doyle
******
Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected]
Archives through August 2016 at
http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
Archives from September 2016 onward at
https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
