Conservation interventions at the site of Berenike (Egypt): challenges and solutions in an ancient city of the Eastern Desert

Abstract

The desert climate of the Berenike site in the Eastern Desert of Egypt are conducive to the preservation of substantial quantities of both organic and inorganic archaeological remains. Field conservation is thus fundamental and indispensable to each archaeological campaign. All interventions have as the main objective stabilizing the material, facilitating the identification of finds and ensuring artifact conservation as much as possible. The paper focuses on the specific conditions making this site unique and an ideal place for the preservation of all materials, paying special attention to the ancient harbor area with its significant number of remains of carbonized wood belonging on the whole to several ancient Roman ships. Interventions on these materials are discussed with the goal of determining the basic problems faced by conservators working at this site, the extent to which these interventions should be carried and the scientific dialogue with archaeologists and field specialists.

Keywords

• desert conditions of preservation
• conservation interventions
• carbonized wood
• organic and inorganic artifacts
• stabilizing