Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Are the wooden remains of the Lusatian culture settlement at Biskupin safe? Decomposition of archaeological oak wood samples during a 10-year experiment

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A study was made of the decomposition of oak wood samples deposited in different environments on the Lusatian culture site in Biskupin, Poland. Waterlogged archaeological wood samples were examined after 10 years of deposition in peat, sand or mineral soil or in a water-filled trench. Wood decay was evaluated on the basis of wood mass loss, sample volume loss, physical properties (maximum water content, basic density, porosity) with and without mineral compounds, chemical composition (holocellulose, cellulose, pentosans, lignin, substances soluble in 1% NaOH, 95% ethanol and hot and cold water, and ash content) and microscopic observations. The oak wood was found to be least degraded in the strongly reducing waterlogged peat in which the preserved remains of wooden constructions of the Biskupin settlement are deposited. Nevertheless, even in this near-anaerobic environment, wood decomposition was significant. The loss of wood mass was about 8–10%, whilst the decrease in the cellulose content ranged from 14 to 16%. To preserve the remains of the Biskupin settlement for future generations, it is proposed to consider excavating some of the wood for conservation and exhibition under controlled museum conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Babiński L, Fejfer M (2015) Zmiany wybranych parametrów środowiska na stanowisku 4 w Biskupinie w latach 2003–2013. In: Nowaczyk S, Grossman A, Piotrowski W (eds) IV Sprawozdanie Biskupińskie. Muzeum Archeologiczne w Biskupinie, Biskupin, pp 311–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Babiński L, Zborowska M, Gajewska J, Waliszewska B, Prądzyński W (2006) Decomposition of the contemporary oak wood (Quercus sp.) in conditions of the wet archaeological site in Biskupin. Folia For Pol Ser B 37:9–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Babiński L, Fejfer M, Prądzyński W (2007) Environmental monitoring at the Lusatian culture settlement in Biskupin, Poland. J Wetl Archaeol 7:51–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babiński L, Izdebska-Mucha D, Waliszewska B (2014) Evaluation of the state of preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood based on its physical properties: basic density vs. wood substance density. J Archaeol Sci 46:372–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babiński L, Fabisiak E, Zborowska M, Michalska D, Prądzyński W (2019) Changes in oak wood buried in waterlogged peat: shrinkage as a complementary indicator of the wood degradation rate. Eur J Wood Wood Prod 77:691–703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björdal CG, Nilsson T (2002) Waterlogged archaeological wood – a substrate for white rot fungi during drainage of wetlands. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 50:17–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björdal CG, Daniel G, Nilsson T (2000) Depth of burial, an important factor in controlling bacterial decay of waterlogged archaeological poles. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 45:15–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchette RA (2000) A review of microbial deterioration found in archaeological wood from different environments. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 46:189–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchette RA, Nilsson T, Daniel G, Abad A (1990) Biological degradation of wood. In: Rowell RM, Barbour RJ (eds) Archaeological wood: properties, chemistry and preservation. American Chemical Society Series 225, Washington DC, pp 141–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Browning BL (1967) Methods of wood chemistry, vol. I. Interscience Publishers, a Division of John Wiley and Sons Inc, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brzezińska M, Szarlip P, Wyczółkowski A, Babiński L, Włodarczyk T (2009) Aktywność biologiczna gleby ze stanowiska archeologicznego nr 4 w Biskupinie. In: Babiński L (ed) Stan i perspektywy zachowania drewna biskupińskiego, Biskupińskie Prace Archeologiczne 7, pp 273–297

  • Dzbeński W (1970) Techniczne własności drewna dębu wykopaliskowego. Sylwan 114(5):1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton RA, Hale MDC (1993) Wood – decay, pests and protection. Chapman and Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Gajewska J, Jacak P, Babiński L (2011) Influence of anoxic condition on the composition of microorganisms colonized a contemporary wood samples in archaeological site in Biskupin. Ecol Chem Eng A 18:183–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Gajewska J, Sadowska A, Babiński L (2015) Mikroorganizmy kolonizujące drewno w warunkach anoksji na stanowisku 4 w Biskupinie: Identyfikacja mikroflory i wstępna ocena degradacji drewna. In: Nowaczyk S, Grossman A, Piotrowski W (eds) IV Sprawozdanie Biskupińskie. Muzeum Archeologiczne w Biskupinie, Biskupin, pp 329–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Grattan DW, Mathias C (1986) Analysis of waterlogged wood: the value of chemical analysis and other simple methods in evaluating condition. Somerset Levels Papers 12:6–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen P, Gregory DJ (2006) Selected physical parameters to characterize the state of preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood: a practical guide for their determination. J Archaeol Sci 33:551–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan BA (2001) Site characteristics impacting the survival of historic waterlogged wood: a review. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 47:47–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim YS, Singh AP (2000) Micromorphological characteristics of wood biodegradation in wet environments: a review. IAWA J 21:135–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim YS, Singh AP, Nilsson T (1996) Bacteria as important degraders in waterlogged archaeological woods. Holzforschung 50:389–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Konopelko-Bielecki H (1951) Badania nad korozją biskupińskiego drewna wykopaliskowego oraz jego właściwościami fizycznymi, mechanicznymi i strukturalnymi. Master thesis, University of Poznań

  • Kostrzewski J (1936) Osada bagienna w Biskupinie w pow. żnińskim. In: Kostrzewski J, Lubicz-Niezabitowski E, Jaroń B (eds) Osada bagienna w Biskupinie w pow. żnińskim: Tymczasowe sprawozdanie z prac wykopaliskowych Instytutu Prehistorycznego U.P. w latach 1934 i 1935. Uniwersytet Poznański, Poznań, pp 1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubiak K, Babiński L, Cywińska J, Sadowska A, Cieniek K, Gajewska J (2010) Identyfikacja molekularna bakterii wyizolowanych z wody Jeziora Biskupińskiego oraz współczesnego drewna dębu i sosny zalegającego w glebie na stanowisku archeologicznym w Biskupinie. Nauka Przyr Technol 4(6):#102

    Google Scholar 

  • Lillie M, Smith R (2009) In situ preservation of organic archaeological remains: international literature review. University of Hull, Hull

    Google Scholar 

  • Macchioni N, Pizzo B, Capretti C, Giachi G (2012) How an integrated diagnostic approach can help in a correct evaluation of the state of preservation of waterlogged archaeological wooden artefacts. J Archaeol Sci 39:3255–3263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macchioni N, Capretti C, Sozzi L, Pizzo B (2013) Grading the decay of waterlogged archaeological wood according to anatomical characterisation: the case of the Fiavé site (N-E Italy). Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 84:54–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Modzelewska I, Zborowska M, Kúdela J, Babiński L (2012) Changes in strength properties of wood pulp after two years of natural degradation. Wood Res 57(1):131–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Piotrowski W (1984) Fifty years of work in Biskupin. Pop Archaeol 5:16–20

  • Piotrowski W, Zajączkowski W (1993) Protecting Biskupin by an artificial barrier. NewsWARP 14:7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Riggio M, Sandak J, Sandak A, Pauliny D, Babiński L (2014) Analysis and prediction of selected mechanical/dynamic properties of wood after short and long-term waterlogging. Constr Build Mater 68:444–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandak A, Sandak J, Babiński L, Pauliny D, Riggio M (2014) Spectral analysis of changes to pine and oak wood natural polymers after short-term waterlogging. Polym Degrad Stab 99:68–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert VK (1960) Zur Frage der Cellulose-Schnellbestimmung nach der Acetylaceton-Methode. Das Papier 14:104–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh AP, Butcher JA (1991) Bacterial degradation of wood cells: a review of degradation patterns. J Inst Wood Sci 12:143–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamburini D, Łucejko JJ, Zborowska M, Modugno F, Cantisani E, Mamoňová M, Colombini M (2017) The short-term degradation of cellulosic pulp in lake water and peat soil: a multi-analytical study from the micro to the molecular level. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 116:243–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TAPPI T 204 cm-07 (2007) Solvent extractives of wood and pulp. US Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • TAPPI T 207 cm-08 (2008) Water solubility of wood and pulp. US Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • TAPPI T 211 om-07 (2007) Ash in wood, pulp and paper and paperboard: combustion at 525°C. US Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • TAPPI T 212 om-07 (2007) One percent sodium hydroxide solubility of wood and pulp. US Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • TAPPI T 222 om-06 (2006) Acid insoluble lignin in wood and pulp. US Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • TAPPI T 223 cm-01 (2001) Pentosans in wood and pulp. US Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ważny T (1993) Dendrochronological dating of the Lusatian culture settlement at Biskupin, Poland – first results. NewsWARP 14:3–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Witkowska-Walczak B, Sławiński C (2009) Retencja i przewodnictwo wodne w wybranych warstwach profili ze stanowiska archeologicznego nr 4 w Biskupinie. In: Babiński L (Ed) Stan i perspektywy zachowania drewna biskupińskiego, Biskupińskie Prace Archeologiczne 7, pp 257–271

  • Zborowska M, Babiński L, Gajewska J, Waliszewska B, Prądzyński W (2007) Physical and chemical properties of contemporary pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) in conditions of a wet archaeological site in Biskupin. Folia For Pol Ser B 38:13–26

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation, Archaeological Museum in Biskupin, Biskupin 17, 88-410, Gąsawa, Poland

    Leszek Babiński

  2. Institute of Chemical Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 38/42, 60-627, Poznań, Poland

    Magdalena Zborowska

  3. Department of Wood Science, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 38/42, 60-627, Poznań, Poland

    Ewa Fabisiak

  4. Department of Wood Chemistry and Environmental Protection, Wood Technology Institute, Winiarska 1, 60-654, Poznań, Poland

    Włodzimierz Prądzyński

Authors
  1. Leszek Babiński
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Magdalena Zborowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ewa Fabisiak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Włodzimierz Prądzyński
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leszek Babiński.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Babiński, L., Zborowska, M., Fabisiak, E. et al. Are the wooden remains of the Lusatian culture settlement at Biskupin safe? Decomposition of archaeological oak wood samples during a 10-year experiment. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 11, 6583–6594 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-019-00926-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-019-00926-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation