Wrapping in Polyethylene Bags or Sheeting

Despite the large number of wood-decay fungi growing on the surface of stored timbers, few signs of recent attack were observed. Soft rot cavities were observed but were not numerous. Such decay patterns were only observed 

Breaches in the wrapping material may allow colonisation by wood-boring insects. A survey of 1,568 Mary Rose timbers stored in polyethylene bags revealed the presence of wharf-borer beetle larvae in 2% of these timbers. Attack by this insect is not always apparent from examination of the timber 

Research at the Mary Rose Trust has shown that gamma irradiation is a superior alternative to low temperature and biocide treatments of polyethylene-wrapped timbers and has been adopted by the Trust since 1998. Screening a range of bacteria and fungi isolated from waterlogged archaeological wood revealed that a dose of 15 KGy is required for the inactivation of most organisms (see Table 2). 

Organism Data source Recommended lethal dose (KGy) 

Anaerobic bacteria National Collection of Industrial Bacteria 2.5 

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