Implications and reflecting on the impact of microbiologic agents on archaeological pottery from a case study (Northern La Rioja Province, Argentina)

Abstract

Cultural heritage biodeterioration is an actual research line that it has been poorly studied from an archaeological perspective. However, current archaeometric investigations in pottery materials point to a diversity of biological agents involved in a complex mechanical, chemical and fouling deterioration process of the external and inner surfaces and the paste, presenting a sinergetic relationship in situ by weathering, erosion and postdepositacional agents in archaeological pottery materials from Northern La Rioja province, Argentina. Physical and chemical properties of these materials make them bioreceptive for microbiological colonization in environments with a strong aridity. Besides, these species impact for pottery materials preservation and for investigators health care was recognized. The aim of this work is to discuss and reflect about microbiological colonization implications in the archaeological pottery materials studied. Potential bias in archaeometric sample preparation and data collection is pondered and, these agents contribution as a complementary evidence lines in archaeological sites formation process, paleoenvironment and objects and/or raw materials circulation is enlighten.