Archaeobark
The project aims to create a new understanding of the significance of unretouched bark objects in prehistory, with a focus on lime bark.
Fiche signalétique
- Départements participants Haute école des arts de Berne
- Institut(s) Institut Matérialité dans l'art et la culture
- Unité(s) de recherche Technologie dans l'art et la culture
- Organisation d'encouragement FNS
- Durée (prévue) 01.10.2024 - 30.09.2027
- Direction du projet Prof. Giovanna Di Pietro
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Équipe du projet
Dr. Johanna Klügl
Ingrid Stelzner
Jörg Stelzner
Dr. Oliver Nelle
Harald Stäuble -
Partenaire
Universität Leipzig
Landesamt für Archäologie Sachsen
Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie
Landesamt für Denkmalpflege
Situation
In prehistoric times, the inner and outer bark of a few tree species such as willow, oak, birch, poplar and linden was used to make everyday objects. The study of these objects, which have only survived in specific contexts, opens up new ways of interpreting human history. Unfortunately, these objects are rarely recognised, not only because of their ephemeral nature, but also because of the lack of knowledge about their identification and preservation. We will examine an exceptional corpus of very early bark vessels from Linear Pottery wells and a series of Late Neolithic and Bronze Age cylindrical vessels from Saxony.
Approche
We will develop a key for identifying lime bark based solely on stereomicroscopic analysis, which can be used by archaeologists and conservators in the field and in the laboratory, and highlight when such a key might fail. Furthermore, we will use light micros-copy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the morphology and anatomy of contemporary and archaeological lime bark, both restored and unrestored, to identify pathways of degradation. Samples will also be characterised by their moisture sorption isotherm. Current and past consolidation and drying methods will be investigated through structured interviews and archival research, while the effects of different consolidation and drying methods will be studied using micro-computed tomography (µCT). Finally, we will investigate for the first time possible cell damage due to freeze-drying and storage.
Résultat
The careful study of the construction and use of the vessels from Saxony, both microscopically and macroscopically, will allow us to understand their production and use. These results will form the basis for a contextual and comparative study of bark vessels in Central Europe and their role in the material cultures of the respective Neolithic and Bronze Age communities. Our vision is that bark objects should be identified, interpreted and conserved as central testimonies of prehistoric societies in Europe.
