• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.421-435
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to suggest environmental guidelines for the conservation of ceramics excavated from underwater. Accordingly, the conditional change of the soluble salt on surface of the excavated ceramics was examined by changing the relative humidity. Examining the relative ratio [high humidity(RH70%+RH80%)/low humidity(RH20%+ RH40%)] for 24 weeks using accumulated conductivity(${\mu}s/cm$), the result showed that the amount of ion elution increased more in high humidity than in low humidity. In particular, the ion elution increased significantly within the celadon sample. In addition, comparing the accumulated conductivity and physical characteristics of the samples in high humidity, the results indicated that the amount of the ion elution is proportioned to the increased rate of the sample's absorption capacity and porosity. Ceramics excavated from underwater has risks of the secondary physical and chemical attacks from remaining salts. Therefore, it is suggested these ceramics be stored in a storage which maintains proper temperature and low humidity conditions. Also, the collections need to be pre-classified according to the properties of the materials.