Storing waterlogged remains

After the final identification the uncharred plant remains should be stored in closable glass tubes in a mixture of water, alcohol and glycerine at a ratio of 1:1:1 or 1:2:1. A fungicide may be added. Another preservative which may be used is Nipagine (C8H8O3), which is dissolved in water (1 g per litre water).

More elaborate conservation techniques such as those using Polyethylenglycole (PEG), sugar or freeze-drying (Jacomet & Kreuz 1999) may also be used.

Photographs of remains should be taken before transferring them into the preservative liquid. Alcohol and other chemicals may change the colour of the finds and glycerine causes annoying reflections on their surface.

• Jacomet, S., Kreuz (1999). Archäobotanik. 368 p., Stuttgart.