Determining whether artifact has been buried

I've been asked to determine if there is physical or chemical
evidence that a set of wood, stone, and plant and animal fiber
objects were at one time buried in soil.  The complicating factor is
the these objects are utilitarian in nature and would have come into
contact with soil in daily use.

I am trying to establish criteria for determining artifacts
(physical or chemical) of long-term burial that are separate and
apart from artifacts of daily soil contact through use.

Presently, I'm thinking along the lines of surface alteration,
chemical alteration, mineral deposition, etc.  The materials, again,
are wood, stone, and animal/plant fibers.

Has anyone undertaken a similar study in their institution?  If so,
please contact me.

James Martin
Williamstown Art Conservation Center
225 South Street
Williamstown, MA  01267

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:73
                 Distributed: Friday, February 27, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-73-007
                                  ***