Conservation Soft Box: Study Results Presented in Rome in Collaboration with Eurac Research

At the annual meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists, held in Rome from 28 to 31 August 2024, the poster “The Conservation Soft Box (CSB): an innovative, efficient and low‐cost technique to preserve biological remains” was presented. The study was promoted by the Institute for Mummy Studies and the Institute for Renewable Energy of Eurac Research, with the participation of Eco Research.

The project addresses one of the most complex challenges in museum conservation: the long-term preservation of biological remains such as mummified individuals, bones, soft tissues, hair, and teeth, which require special measures to prevent chemical and microbiological deterioration. To meet this need, an innovative display case named Conservation Soft Box (CSB) was developed. This multifunctional and low-cost structure creates optimal conservation conditions through an oxygen-free atmosphere, stable humidity, and the use of low-emission polymeric materials. Eco Research contributed to the study by evaluating the emissions of different types of plastic materials through the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes, in order to identify the most suitable solution for the preservation of archaeological remains.

Thanks to its versatility, light weight, and the absence of metallic elements, the CSB not only ensures effective and safe conservation but also allows for non-invasive investigations such as CT scans directly on the remains. It therefore represents an important step toward new solutions for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage.