The studied artifact is a stone bowl from the twelfth excavation season at Burnt City, Sistan, between 1997 and 2008, retrieved from trench NFB, burial 8509. Most stone artifacts in the past were made from gypsum alabaster or limestone marble, which are visually similar. Through sampling and thin-section petrography, the results revealed a layered limestone structure containing calcite and aragonite minerals, confirming the bowl’s marble composition. Regarding the manufacturing technology of marble artifacts, evidence of tool marks on the studied bowl suggests the use of tools such as hammers, chisels, drills, gouges, saws, and abrasives in the production of stone vessels.
A novel method utilizing eucalyptus extract for the protection of woolen artifacts against invasive insects has been developed. This eco-friendly approach is highly compatible with environmental ecosystems, poses no risk to humans, and is safe for historical textiles. The application of this extract does not adversely affect the artifacts, their physical properties, appearance, or fiber strength. The eucalyptus extract is obtained using a Soxhlet extraction method with ethanol 96°, and neutral pH paper strips are impregnated with the extract. These eucalyptus-infused strips serve as an environmentally friendly, human-safe, and artifact-compatible insect repellent. They can be employed in various applications, such as packaging material, display linings, storage boxes, and protective layers between artifacts in storage. The production cost is low, and the method offers higher safety and efficacy compared to existing alternatives.
