Abstract

IGARETA, Ana; PELLIZZARI, Julieta; MARIANI, Roxana  and  VARELA, Graciela. Biodeterioration by Psocoptera in Historical Restorations of Archeological Ceramics: Definition of the Problem and Decision-making Process during a Preventive Preservation Intervention in the Museo de la Plata (MLP), Argentina. Intervención (Méx. DF) [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.16, pp.57-69. ISSN 2007-249X.

Recent conditioning tasks in the archeological collections in storage at the Museo de La Plata (MLP), Argentina showed that a significant percentage of the ceramic artifacts were restored between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, without having registered the criteria or materials employed. While some of these pieces are currently in a state of satisfactory preservation, many others show evidence of alteration both in the adhesives for the bonding of fragments as well as in the repair/repositioning pastes used in historical restorations. Although it was first estimated that these deteriorations could be the product of a transformation process of the substances utilized in the interventions over time, the finding of live insects in direct association with these compelled to define the problem of biodegradation. As a result, it was determined that the presence of Psocoptera (insects that feed on microorganisms derived from the degradation of organic materials used in historical restorations) represents a risk for the long-term preservation of the archeological artifacts. Therefore, it was decided to implement systematic actions of curative and preventive control.

Keywords : archaeological ceramic; biodegradation; Psocoptera, adhesive; repairs; historical restoration; Museo de la Plata; Argentina.

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