Inhomogeneity in the composition of vesture walls in an archaeological wood

Abstract

Transmission electron microscopy of Terminalia archaeological wood from an ancient Polynesian canoe showed vestures to be intact despite extensive degradation of the secondary wall by erosion bacteria. The vesture wall consisted of a lining wall resistant to degradation and an underlying wall which was partly degraded. These observations provide evidence for inhomogeneity in the composition of Terminalia vesture walls.