Preserving cultural heritage through radiation-curing resin consolidation: a case study of an indigenous ceramic vessel

Abstract

This article presents a case study on a ceramic vessel belonging to the Amazonian indigenous people, Asurini do Xingu, to investigate the use of gamma radiation for consolidating cultural heritage. Traditionally, gamma radiation is used to impregnate cultural artifacts with a radiocurable resin. In this study, the consolidating resin was applied only to the external surface of the vessel by brushing. The object was weighed before and after consolidation, and a colorimeter was used to evaluate possible color changes. The results indicated that the method was effective, with no negative effects on the appearance of the cultural item.

Keywords

• Gamma radiation
• cobalt-60
• radiation polymerization
• consolidation
• ceramic