Sub-ns-pulsed laser cleaning of an archaeological bone from the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain: a case study

Researchers have identified optimal parameters for sub-nanosecond pulsed laser cleaning of Pleistocene bones from the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain, using near-infrared (1064 nm) burst pulse mode. This method efficiently removes contaminants and degradation products while minimizing damage to the underlying bone surface. The study employed Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy–with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM–EDS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to characterize the bone's surface morphology and composition before and after laser treatment. By determining threshold cleaning and substrate damage values, the research paves the way for safer laser cleaning procedures, crucial for the conservation of fragile archaeological artifacts.

Rahman, Md. A., de la Fuente, G. F., Carretero, J. M., Maingi, E. M., Alonso Abad, M. P., Alonso Alcalde, R., Chapoulie, R., Schiavon, N., & Angurel, L. A. (2021). Sub-ns-pulsed laser cleaning of an archaeological bone from the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain: a case study. SN Applied Sciences, 3(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04850-8