Bacterial destruction of wooden cultural heritageBacterial destruction of

wooden cultural heritage

Charlotte Björdal1, Thomas Nilsson1 and Rene Klaassen2

1 Faculty of Forestry, Swedish university of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden

2 SHR, Foundation of Timber research, the Netherlands

Wood in historical contextWood in historical context

Small bacteria makes great harmSmall bacteria makes great harm

Foundation poles supporting historical buildings

Foundation poles supporting historical buildings

Venice

Shipwreck and other archeological remainsShipwreck and other

archeological remains

Roman ship Wooden castle

BACPOLESBACPOLES

Preserving cultural heritage by preventing bacterial decay of wood in foundation piles

and archaeological sites

European Commission(energy, environment and sustainable development the

city of tomorrow and cultural heritage) EVK4-CT-2001-00043

2002 - 2005

Aim and objectivesAim and objectives

1. Identify the bacteria responsible for decay

2. Development of methods for protection of cultural heritage

BACPOLES based onBACPOLES based on

• Wood sampling

• Environmental monitoring

At:24 sites in Europe

Outcome of BACPOLESOutcome of BACPOLES

Identification of bacteriaIdentification of bacteria

DNA/RNA identification

Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacterioides

Bacterial decay in EuropeBacterial decay in Europe

• Decay progessing at all 24 sites

• Bacteria active and alive in both poles and archaeological wood

• Activity even in very old wood (2500 years)

•Adapted to environments low in inorganic nutrients

Development of preservation methods

Development of preservation methods

1. Based on bacterial identification, bacteriophages/ virus killers were developed

2. Impregnation/ incapsulation in situ

3. Friendly chemicals

Future workFuture work

Protection of wooden remains in situ

BISKUPIN, Poland

Future workFuture work

Preservation and protection of woodenfoundation supporting historic buildings

BRYGGEN, Norge

Acknowledgement Acknowledgement

The BACPOLES research team members are gratefully acknowledged for fruitful cooperation.

The European commission, 5th framework programme,for funding.