Penetration of the consolidant Paraloid® B-72 in Macuxi indigenous ceramic vessels investigated by neutron tomography

The neutron tomography technique was applied in studying the penetration of the consolidant Paraloid® B-72 in contemporary indigenous ceramic vessels. The study was carried out for two distinct and controlled air humidity conditions, 40% and 90%, in which the vessels were exposed, before the consolidant application. The obtained images have proved that the penetration of Paraloid® B-72 in the ceramic does not depend on the humidity condition in which it was applied, moreover allowed a macro-visualization of the consolidant penetration in the ceramic vessel. As the vessels used in the present work were manufactured by an indigenous artisan, Macuxi, according to the same procedures and raw materials used by the ancient artisans, the results obtained can be used as a guide to assist experts, both in the study of archeological objects of Macuxi origin, as well as other objects that had been made by other tribes that lived in the same Amazon region, in Brazil.