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Electrochemical techniques applied to the conservation of archaeological metals from Spain: a historical review

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Abstract

The conservation and restoration of archaeological metals is one of the most complex conservation issues. Therefore, conservators usually employ the most advanced techniques, with the purpose of obtaining positive results for the preservation of the objects. One of the aims of conservation treatments is avoiding the reactivation of corrosion processes. Electrochemical treatments applied on archaeological metals were employed in Spain since the beginning of the twentieth century. During its history, the treatments were praised and reviled, practiced and discontinued. Conservation criteria have also exerted an influence over electrochemical treatments. Nowadays, electrochemical techniques are provided with control devices, such as potentiostatic control and could be considered again as a very valuable option, in combination with traditional and vanguard techniques, to recover the archaeological metallic heritage.

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Acknowledgements

Some of the investigations featured in this paper have been carried out as part of the following research projects: Patrimonio Arqueológico y Conservación: Aplicación de innovaciones tecnológicas a la restauración de los metales antiguos, (06/HSE/0233/2004), funded by the Consejería de Educación. Dirección General de Universidades e Investigación de la Comunidad de Madrid (Madrid, Spain), and Aplicación de las tecnologías láser para la conservación y restauración de los metales arqueológicos (HAR2008-05175/HIST), funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain). We would like to thank the following people who had contributed in various senses to the research summarised in the present paper: Ms. Carmen Dávila Buitrón and Dr. M. Barril (MAN), Dr. Emilio Cano and Dr. J.M. Bastidas (CENIM-CSIC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpto. Prehistoria y Arqueología, Laboratorio/Servicio de Conservación, Restauración y Estudios Científicos del Patrimonio Arqueológico (SECYR), UAM Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Joaquín Barrio, Jorge Chamón, Ana Isabel Pardo & Margarita Arroyo

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  1. Joaquín Barrio
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  2. Jorge Chamón
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  3. Ana Isabel Pardo
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  4. Margarita Arroyo
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Correspondence to Jorge Chamón.

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Barrio, J., Chamón, J., Pardo, A.I. et al. Electrochemical techniques applied to the conservation of archaeological metals from Spain: a historical review. J Solid State Electrochem 13, 1767–1776 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-009-0876-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-009-0876-4

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