The Alteration and Natural Consolidation Effects of a Ceramic Vessel in Archaeological Excavation From San Lorenzo Tenoc
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ABSTRACT A study of a ceramic vessel from San Lorenzo Tenochtitl.n, Veracruz, M6xico (Early Formative 1550-900 b.C.) was developed using three selected analytical methods: Petrographic thin section, X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results suggested, that the soil weathering processes on the ceramic vessel generated phenomenons, such as an increase in porosity, a decrease in bulk-density and loss in structural stability. On the other hand, the presence of amorphous materials (Si0 2 , FeO 3 ) in the soil, interacted with the ceramic giving it a natural consolidation. The consequences of our study are discussed in detail. INTRODUCTION Through the study of the materials that constitute a cultural object made from ceramic it is possible to obtain information about its nature and alteration.(1) In this investigation its proposed that the use of three selected analytical methods, that are being innovated in the restoration field of ceramic materials, may help in the understanding and profounding of the knowledge of the causes and effects of their transformation. During one of the excavation periods in the archaeological site of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlhn Veracruz in Mexico, in 1994 (2), an exceptional ceramic vessel from the olmec civilization was found (Early Formative, 1500-900 b.C.). Because of its specific characteristics and dimensions it became of great importance. This cultural object had severe structural problems due to its mineralogical nature. These problems produced an intense microfissuring. To understand and ressolve its condition a scientific methodology was developed so that its constituting materials, its manufacture and the interactions that this vessel could have had with the burial context could be understood. The description of the material's integrity when found, which is the object of this investigation, was of great importance because it still contained a substantial quantity of soil. This meant that a representative sample of the burial context of the vessel was available. This situation was very fortunate because in the restoration process of ceramic objects it is very unusual to have this kind of information, which is very useful in the understanding and studying of the alterations and transformations that have ocurred through time. 263 Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 462 © 1997 Materials Research Society
-il 00 Figure 1. Ceramic vessel of San Lorenzo Tenochtitl.n, Veracruz, M6xico ALTERATION TRANSFORMATION AND DETERIORATING PROCESSES As a result of this investigation and to clearly understand the alteration, transformation and deterioration processes that ocurred on the ceramic vessel; it was necessary to create a theorical model that explained in a better and more specifical way the phenomenons interacting with the cultural object in study. (1) As time passes by, material suffers constant modifications or alterations in its search for equilibrium with the environment or context that surrounds it. As a result from these alterations, a transformation is produced. This has
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