Waterlogged Wood

Cardiff University 

• • In 2002, structural foundation excavation for the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport, Wales, uncovered the remains of a fifteenth century sailing vessel. The ship was preserved in the waterlogged sediments on the bank of the River Usk. Community enthusiasm and support resulted in the ship being fully excavated and preserved (conservation work is still ongoing) with the support of the Friends of the Newport Ship. This trenail (large wooden peg) from the ship was conserved to allow dry storage.
• • Condition and Treatment Report (PDF), Photos (PDF)

Waterlogged Leather

Cardiff University 

• • The Mill Leat (aqueduct feeding a millpond) of Bute Castle, drained in the 1970s, was excavated in 2013 by Archaeology Wales in advance of restoration and re-flooding. Leather objects and scraps were recovered mostly from three contexts and most likely represent the dumping of waste material from leather workshops adjacent to Bute Castle in the first half of the 17th century, with one additional deposit from the late 18th or 19th century. Archaeology Wales requested that the materials be conserved for dry storage and analysis.
• • Condition and Treatment Report (PDF), Photos (PDF)