ABSTRACT
Scientific knowledge predicts a low percentage of survival for cellulosic materials in underwater archaeological excavations, as a consequence of their particular fabric which consists of small fibres. These materials are termed super-fragile, and experience shows that they invariably disappear during archaeological excavations. This work is aimed at the scientific interest and principles of conservation. Experimentation includes the physical characterisation of the object, which is rope, and the product, which is silicone. The moulds and copies obtained in the laboratory were analysed with graphic analysis software, optical metrology using a 3D Profilometer, and stereoscopic microscopy. Subsequently, in response to the necessary consolidation of the recovered material, the impregnation of the material inside the mould was tested. In this process, the physical-chemical stability and the aesthetic qualities of the object were preserved. A general model is obtained for the recovery and stabilisation of super-fragile objects in underwater archaeological sites.
