Dear Alexia (apologies for cross-posting too)
The important thing is to keep out air; I've used both wrapping in
foil and burying in sand plus in containers then heating in a muffle
furnace (and Aga 'hot' oven!) to good effect. An easy way to 'label' is to
include a specific number of small metal (obviously) nails/tacks in the package
and keep a paper record of number plus species of wood. Gets round the problems
of ink burning off.
I would also try to use some wood that wasn't especially dry.
Prepared samples of beautiful material are great and good to use for the details
of anatomy but mostly, I find, archaeological material is less than 'beautiful'
and some of the quirks can be seen in reference material that was damp when
prepared. The more variety the better.
I have also mounted samples for years and they have survived
student use for a gratifying length of time. This keeps the main bags of
charcoal in reserve for longer (I got tired of having to prepare more each year
as I was always being left with a bag of charcoal crumble at the end of
practicals although always have a big bag of common species to hand in order to
allow students to practice fracturing pieces). I'll break into the three
planes and arrange confocally in a small box (the sort we use for
macrofossil reference material) filled with freshly made Plaster of Paris - use
a small piece of straight wood (ruler) to push the three pieces in to the same
level. Top surfaces need to be just above the top of the plastic box in order to
swing objectives across safely. This box is then stored in a slightly larger box
that has a lid (plastic jewellery boxes ideal) and is hence protected. Boxes can
be labelled and cross-referenced to a database that includes temperatures/times
for preparation, as well as other details.
with best wishes
Jacqui
____________________________________
Jacqui Huntley | Science Advisor North
East
Direct line: 0191 269 1250
Mobile (preferred): 0771 3400387
English Heritage | Bessie Surtees' House
41-44 Sandhill | Newcastle upon Tyne | NE1 3JF
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Dear
List members,
I
would like to establish a charred wood reference collection. I know that some
people prefer to use a muffle furnace while others use a heated sand bath. Which
methods have you found to work best? Any insights would be very much
appreciated.
Kind
regards,
Alexia
Alexia
Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant
Professor
Department
of Anthropology
University
of Connecticut
Beach
Hall Unit 1176
354
Mansfield Road
Storrs,
CT 06269-1176
Telephone:
860 486 4264
Fax: 860
486 1719
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