Knife handle with inscribed runes

I am going to conserve a water-logged knife handle, (antler or
possibly bone) with inscribed runes. The blade was preserved as well
and has been disconnected from the handle and is going to be
conserved separately. Some iron corrosion actually covers some of
the runes. The surface layer of the handle has been worn off in some
areas together wit the runes, leaving the inner spongy material
exposed.

During examination and handling, the surface tends to turn quite
whitish as soon as it starts to dry. This will, with all certainty,
affect the future visibility of the runes.

Does anyone know of any type of surface treatment which would
preserve the visibility of the runes  and yet not negatively affect
the bone material itself.

Conservator
Eva Christensson
Conservation Science
Projekt Arkeologisk Konservering
The National Swedish Heritage Board
Box 1114
SE-621 22 Visby


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:6
                  Distributed: Saturday, June 26, 2010
                        Message Id: cdl-24-6-016
                                  ***