wooden artifact from the bog

GatorBoy · Jul 19, 2012

I've found several wooden items in this site. most look like pieces of things. this 1 looks for sure carved into a steak. I don't know how I can tell if it is native american or spanish in nature. since both have shown up on this site. figured it was worth posting. the other items that were found with it we're pottery chards chert flake and coble and numerous other bone pieces

GatorBoy · Jul 21, 2012

Larson I was only joking around with Iamzim. no need to seem to be walking on egg shells. Your right about the metal blade I belive.

Glenn C · Jul 21, 2012

hi ..no expert here. I have read it you slowly bake it in a oven on very low and apply conservators wax to it. The wax will fill in the spaces when water releases. Repeat this step of applying wax several times while baking.

Just another option

GatorBoy · Jul 21, 2012

sounds like it would work. thanks

Get-the-point · Jul 21, 2012

First off like the new icon name.......Loved the little bit you put about the cell structure and what could happen to it if dried out. That looks like a possible tent stake. Or something used in a trap. Could have even been a boat anchoring point. It served a purpose and with that little hook left on it about 3/4 up the piece it looks like it was used to anchor something.............JMO..................Nice finds!!!.................GTP(Chris)

GatorBoy · Jul 21, 2012

thank you much. (Bill)

BeachComber7 · Jul 21, 2012

Bill whats the mixture, 50-50?

GatorBoy · Jul 21, 2012

no a lot less... it depends on what you're going 4. you can use it on the shells and get a nice glossy look. or you can have the item look natural. I started out with measurements I just do it by eye now. it's more like 90 10. mostly acetone. you can always do it several times until you have the desired look. or you can use just acetone and it will remove any that you have already put on. if it's being used to stabilize an artifact the idea is to have it thin. so it penetrates the entire object. it's not just a coating. there will be bubbling.. when the bubbling stops it's done. museums use butvar and acetone..ducco cement is almost exactly the same. the major difference is you can buy Ducco at ace hardware.

BeachComber7 · Jul 21, 2012

Thanks Bill! Hope your trip is going well!

GatorBoy · Jul 21, 2012

thank you.. the water is way higher then what is best for here. did a lot of canoeing today. found some fossiles too. just hard to do it in the current. I'll post a few on the fossil forum tomorrow

stefen · Jul 21, 2012

Looks like a Jackalope antler....

GatorBoy · Jul 22, 2012

I was thinking the pheasalopajack

tomclark · Jul 22, 2012

GatorBoy I have one almost exactly like that same size and all from the Weeki Wachee River at a site. Don't have pics. Man, we have the same indians here as you did, even if different names!

I have personally seen items in mine and other's collections that if not preserved, began to split, dust, chalk, etc. Although I did NO preserve the wood......because it dried so well and I don't mess with it..... I ALWAYS preserved shell and bone. Before "Gomer's solution" solution we used beeswax method I won't even describe it is so inferior.

Florida does have very high humidity.....perhaps in some other areas of the country, bone and shell stuff doesn't seem to degrade as quickly, even in case boxes.....

The duco-acetone doesn't change the artifact one bit, only preserves it. Doesn't make it shiny or sticky, leaves no mark.
Years before Gomer's solution I didn't even preserve shell. One day I was shocked so bad because I rarely handle items and when I was showing someone my goodies the shell hammers were absolutely getting chalky. They were not that way when found! Took a few gallons of acetone and several tubes of duco to preserve the larger items.
Now I preserve potsherds, too, the same way as well as most fossils.

GatorBoy · Jul 22, 2012

I've already told someone almost the exact same story you just told me. that's funny.. I did the same thing with a couple shell artifacts that's when I decided it was time for some preservation. it works great on pot chards I know.. I have a spanish olive jar rim with a stamped markings on it I made sure to use it on that.