Comparative archaeometric characterization of recent and historical oak (Quercus spp.) wood.

The present paper studied the chemical composition of recent and historical oak wood comparing the extractive, holocellulose, α-cellulose, lignin, and ash contents. Comprehensive knowledge of the chemical components in recent and historical oak wood will facilitate the use of conservation agent in the restoration and conservation process of the investigated artifacts. The cyclohexane–ethanol extract of historical oak wood was significantly lower compared to recent wood, which can be explained by the leaching of extractives into the soil. No significant differences in the holocellulose and α-cellulose content of recent and historical oak wood were found. The lignin and the ash contents were significantly higher in the historical samples. The EDX analysis of the ash of historical oak wood showed remarkably higher iron content compared to the recent material. The result indicated the degradation of hemicelluloses in the historical sample. The significant difference in the amount of ash between the samples was explained by sediment materials that have been introduced into the wood from the soil. SEM imaging made these materials clearly visible as depositions in the cell lumens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]