Abstract

GOMEZ GONZALEZ, Judith et al. Archaeometry applied to the preservation of archaeologic fabrics made of cellulose fibres. Petate and shroud of a of a mortuary bundle from Zimapán, Hidalgo. Bol. Soc. Geol. Mex [online]. 2019, vol.71, n.2, pp.429-444.  Epub Oct 30, 2019. ISSN 1405-3322.  https://doi.org/10.18268/bsgm2019v71n2a12.

Radiocarbon dating and scanning electron microscopy analyses were used to determine the age and conservation state of a palm mat made with hard fibers and a cotton shroud found in a funerary bundle of Zimapán Hidalgo, México. The fibers were also treated with an innovative treatment of chitosan and polypropylene glycol. The treatment was analyzed with a scanning electron microscopy and radiocarbon dating was applied to the treated fibers. The radiocarbon dating showed dates of 1022 a 1206 cal d.C therefore the textiles are prehispanic, and the treated fibers showed an early date (72-418 cal d.C.). This difference could be explained from the reservoir effect in the marine organisms because the chitosan is obtained from the chitin of crustacean’s exoskeletons. The analysis also showed that the treatment for the fibers was effective because the fibers gained consolidation, flexibilization and also microorganisms were killed and removed.

Keywords : pal mat; shroud; radiocarbon dating; chitosan.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )