Selective reburial: a potential approach for the in situ preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood in wetland excavations

► Dispilio site favours both bacterial and fungal activity. ► The site cannot ensure permanent saturation of buried archaeological material. ► FTIR and microscopy shown to be capable of demonstrating wood incipient decay. ► “Selective reburial” could be effective in sites with preservation potential. ► “Selective reburial” is not recommended for the Dispilio site.