Hi,
Some years ago there was a discussion of the use of PEG to preserve or stabilize
green, old, or ancient wood.  Several members pointed out that the use of PEG in
preservation of an ancient ship (Viking??) was proving to be a disaster in terms
of long term preservation.  Last night I read the National Geographic article
Robert Kunzig 2014. An ancient wreck tells the tale of Romans in France.
National Geographic. 225, 4. 120-135.
The following is a quote taken from page 134 if that article.
“Mud had protected the wood of Areles-Rhone 3 from microbial decay, but water
had dissolved the cellulose and filled the wood’s cells, leaving the whole boat
soft and spongy.  “The wood was held up only by water,” ...........  “if the
water were to evaporate, the whole thing would collapse.”  The solution was to
bathe the wood for months in polyethylene glycol, then freeze-dry it---gradually
infusing it with the polymer before removing the water.  But, the barge would
have to be cut in sections small enough to fit into the freeze-dryers.”

It seems that numerous sources and even my long ago college botany, wood
products/anatomy/pathology, and identification courses challenge the simplicity
of the above explanation for degradation.  However, what about the sketched out
method of preservation?? ?? Does the use of freeze drying in some way alter the
long term preservation value of PEG.  Alternatively, with both species and
environment influencing degradation is the wood in the Roman barge somehow
different from that of ships poorly preserved (in at least the long term) with
PEG.  A quick glance found more than several articles dealing with variation in
the state of ancient wood deterioration due to species and the environment it
rested waiting of us.

Perhaps, sadly, given the described extreme budget and time constraints, the
team did not have the freedom to decide on an optimal method for the long term.

Thanks in advance for any comments about the above.  I will be off line for at
least 10 days; hence, I look forward to reading any on or offline comments.

Cal Meier
Central Louisiana
Under the porch but benefiting greatly from what filters down.