Cassy Cutulle
Objects Conservation Portfolio
Çatalhöyük Research Project
July-August 2013
The archaeological site of Catalhöyük in Konya, Turkey is known the world over for its incredible display of Neolithic life through the archaeological structures and material culture excavated. The site consists of two large mounds, or ‘höyüks’ which exhibit Neolithic occupation from between 7400-6000BC.
University College London’s involvement in the conservation activities at Catalhöyük allowed me to participate in the on-site conservation of objects and structures for one month during the summer of 2013. The projects listed below detail some of the work I was able to take part in.
MUD-CAPPING EXPERIMENTS
Part of our conservation work during the 2013 field season involved testing various locally sustainable materials and methods of application for covering and preserving degrading mud brick structures. Of particular importance was the protection of the mud brick from water run-off experienced throughout the site. This work not only aided current conservation efforts, but helped foster the preservation of the mud brick structures by the local community for the foreseeable future.
(Above) Image of me mixing materials for the mud-capping experiments.
Çatalhöyük Research Project
©Çatalhöyük Research Project, Cassy Cutulle. Image may not be reproduced.
EXCAVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF ANTLER
One of the longer treatment projects I participated in included the cleaning and reconstruction of a red deer antler. After excavation, the antler was block lifted from site and transported to the laboratory for treatment. The antler was in fair condition and was broken in several large sections and many smaller pieces. Prior to reconstruction, the antler was consolidated with Rhoplex™ AC-33 (methyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate, and ethyl methacrylate polymers) 25% w/v in deionized water, which prevented the antler from drying out. After consolidation, dirt was cleaned by pipetting deionized water over the dirty area and using a small scalpel and dental tools to mechanically remove the accretions. Cleaning helped to reveal the joins for the antler, which were reconstructed using HMG cellulose nitrate.
(Above) Image of me consolidating the antler prior to cleaning and reconstruction.
Çatalhöyük Research Project 2013
©Çatalhöyük Research Project, Cassy Cutulle. Image may not be reproduced.
MICRO-EXCAVATION OF A PLASTER WALL PAINTING
Also in the 2013 field season, a remarkably preserved geometric plaster wall painting was uncovered on site. The conservation team carried out the careful micro-excavation of the surrounding dirt using scalpels to reveal the painting underneath. This work was both interesting and technically challenging, requiring great concentration and a high degree of manual dexterity and precision.
(Above) Image of me using a scalpel to uncover the plaster wall-painting.
Çatalhöyük Research Project 2013
©Çatalhöyük Research Project, Cassy Cutulle. Image may not be reproduced.
IN-FILLING STRUCTURAL LOSSES
To aid in the stabilization of mud brick buildings on-site, structural cracks were filled in using Perlite (sodium potassium aluminum silicate), ParaloidTM B-48N (methacrylate methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate) 10% w/v in acetone, ParaloidTM B-72 40% w/v in acetone and some dirt to tint the fill slightly. This filling was packed into the crack and filled to the surface. This work was carried out on a regular basis throughout the site to improve the condition of the mud-brick structures.
(Above) Image of me filling a structural crack on site.
Çatalhöyük Research Project 2013
©Çatalhöyük Research Project, Cassy Cutulle. Image may not be reproduced.