The inihibition is due to the metallic ions forming salts with microbial
proteins (enzymes in particular). There is a lot of information available in
the microbiological literature if you look. Also, most dyes and stains, many
antiseptics, and some antibiotics work by forming salts with the microbial
proteins.
Patricia Wiltshire
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kath Hunter" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 3:59 PM
> Hi,
> thank you.
> Am I right in thinking it is the toxicity of the copper alloy, as it
> corodes, that inhibits the action of organisms that would normaly result
in
> the decay of the plant material? I have seen organic material that has
> been replaced by corroding metal but it is the first time I have seen
actual
> plant remains survive this way. All be it with a thin crust of corrosion
> product on some of the nuts.
>
> Kath Hunter
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Patricia Wiltshire" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 3:24 PM
>
>
> > I have had beautiful preservation of pollen from a late Iron Age/Early
> > Romano-British copper vessel from Colchester. I was able to interpret
the
> > vessel's function from the pollen assemblage. This should be published
> > shortly.
> >
> > Patricia Wiltshire
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Anaya Sarpaki" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 8:44 PM
> >
> >
> > > Dear Kath,
> > >
> > > Barley seeds have been found in the proximity of a bronze saw at
> Akrotiri,
> > > Thera (unpublished) and have been preserved by oxidation. LBA (c.1600
> bc).
> > > Lime could cause a mineralisation of organic remaiins too...
> > >
> > > Best wishes,
> > >
> > > Anaya Sarpaki
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Kath Hunter" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > > Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 7:51 PM
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > > has anyone come across references for Corylus avellana and or Malus
> > > > sylvestris being found inside vessels in Saxon burials. I am working
> on
> > > some
> > > > Hazelnuts found inside a copper alloy bowl and would like to know if
> > there
> > > > are any parallels.
> > > > I am also interested in other plant remains that have been
> preserved
> > by
> > > > their proximity to metal objects in the ground. I have seen wood
and
> > > > textiles preserved by contact with copper alloy and iron objects but
I
>
> > am
> > > > unfamiliar with the preservation of other types of plant remains in
> this
> > > > way.
> > > > Thank you
> > > >
> > > > Kath Hunter
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
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