From Site to Exhibition. Recovery, Conservation and Restauration of Two Roman Warship

In 1994 the Museum fur Antike Schiffahrt in Mainz excavated two Roman warships from Trajanic times, which were found near the Roman fort of Oberstimm at the Danube. Since both ships were built in Mediterrenean technique with mortoise and tenon joints, it was impossible to dismantle them. Therefore they were cut in large pieces for recovery and transport to Mainz for conservation treatment. The process consists of several steps: cleaning the wood in deionized water; reforming the planks in their original position; impregnating the wood in a solution of melamine resin; hardening the resin in a warming cupboard; pre-drying in a microwave oven followed by slow air-drying.