A preliminary investigation into the identification of adhesives on archaeological pottery

Abstract

The successful removal of a failing adhesive from archaeological pottery is facilitated by its identification. The aim of the present study was to establish an analytical path for the identification of adhesives commonly found on archaeological pottery, using resources that would be accessible to a conservation laboratory in Australia. Consultation and research of literature established adhesives that were historically used to repair archaeological pottery. Analysis of control samples assessed a spectrum of analysis techniques (visual, chemical and instrumental). It was found that simple analysis methods such as appearance, UV fluorescence and solvent solubility, are useful for identifying n..