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Digital Object 931
Description:
Stone base of a mirror of pyrite sheets. It is perforated (one perforation). It preserves some pyrite sheets which are adhered to the base.
Conservation treatment:
 
The object arrived in a very damp condition, since it had recently been collected from the site where the conditions were the same. This is why restoration began when damp. It was allowed to dry slowly to prevent the acceleration of the deterioration process. The object is disc-shaped and fragmented and contained a large amount of sedimentary material. The soil was carefully removed with a small wooden spatula, avoiding touching the surface of the object. When enough sedimentary material was removed, bamboo sticks and bamboo skewers were used with cotton wool impregnated with ethanol solution and demineralized water. This process was carried out with great caution since, at this point, you could see the pyrite adhered to the surface of the artifact. The pyrite showed evidence of corrosion ranging from mustard yellow (possibly a corrosion product notorious in FeS2 pyrite), to orange, and golden. The same process was applied to the posterior face of the object. The back had no pyrite. When both sides were completely free of sediment (earth), the presumably corrosive material was removed to the most stable level. The upper side showed three pyrite sheets. They were consolidated with acrysol (7 % concentration) to ensure stability. Sediment was removed both sides of the sheets these pieces with needles and other small instruments. They showed a high level of deterioration and fragility. It was initially thought that the object may require a corrosion inhibitor, but it was decided to simply stabilize it. It may remain stable as long as the temperature levels in the laboratory do not fluctuate. A chemical varnish may at this time prevent the gathering of information that may be needed in future investigations of the object, but it is an option that could be used in the future. Preservation carried out by: Ileana Olmos
February, 2015
Date of field recording:
 
23/02/2015
Excavation campaign:
 
2014
Record type:
 
Stone artifacts
Context-based browsing of El Caño repository
Archaeological site:
 
El Caño
Operation:
 
Operation 1
Stratigraphic group:
 
Tomb 7
Stratigraphic unit type:
 
Interment
Stratigraphic unit (finds):
 
301
Individual´s funerary attire:
 
I04
Calibrated Age Range:
 
Cal AD 780 to 900 (Cal BP 1170 to 1050)/Cal AD 920 to 960 (Cal BP 1040 to 990)
Finds-based browsing of El Caño repository
Artifacts
Stone artifacts:
 
Mirror base
Digital Object 931
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