Comparative study of different imaging and conservation approaches for archaeological iron: conservation as a means of retrieval of archaeological information

In this study, different invasive and non-invasive approaches to the conservation of heavily corroded archaeological iron finds are assessed in order to extract as much information as possible from these objects. A survey of the research potential of archaeological finds results in four levels of information that will be considered in every step of the conservation process for iron finds. Examples of different conservation techniques for iron objects, mostly from burial sites, ranging from standard conventional X-ray radiography, in combination with partial cleaning, to Computed Tomography (CT), are evaluated in regard to the information they reveal that is relevant to the archaeological research. Ultimately, a well thought out balance between common methods and new techniques will result in the most effective approach