Krupa T. Research examination of archeologic textiles ХП century A.D. from excavation of «the Cheerful tomb» (Ukraine)// A Testimony of Life - a Tribute to Death. 3-th EXAR-conference in Bozen, Italy, October 20-23th, 2005.  P.15-18

In the beginning of 70th years of XX century A.D. in area Bliznjukovskom of the Kharkov area the barrow «the Cheerful tomb», dated by time of polovts has been investigated. Kurgan has been in part ruined by local population, however 2 burials which are taking place in him, have kept integrity of a complex, as has allowed experts - archeologists to make exact dating. Among the plentiful material which is taking place in complexes, the special place borrows textiles (burial 2). This textiles also has been found out by us in funds of our museum during scheduled inventory works. It is necessary to note, that by virtue of not clear reasons, detection and research of «the Cheerful tomb» have not been fixed in reports. This circumstance makes the fact of detection of a unknown complex by even more significant. And good safety of large fragments of textiles time of polovtsi is especially significant.

Object of examination of steel of 7 fragments of textiles which are precisely sorted by 4 kinds (depending on type of an interlacing, a decor, a way of processing).

It has been established, that the found out textiles is an embroidered silk brocade. Taking into account uniqueness of the found out material, there was a question on his high-grade research examination.

Is carried out a series of physical researches (the equipment: a microscope «МБС - 10» and a digital videocamera to a microscope "Moticam-1000"), chemical researches, technological definition of an origin of textiles.

As a result of it it has been established:
1. All available samples - cultural silk made on the Chinese technology.
2. On the visual supervision, investigated samples of textiles - fragments of gold embroidered brocade.
Density of a fabric - bases of sewing: 10 strings / sm that allows to attribute a fabric to 4 grade.
The metal string - an alloy of gold, copper and silver - is reeled up on a basis from silk.
In quality of very important problem, it was necessary to solve the problem with preservation of this unique textiles.
Existing techniques of clearing of archeologic textiles - are imperfect, therefore compel experts to search for new, meeting the requirements works with a concrete material.

Criteria on which we carried out the search of a technique of clearing is a sparing interaction with object of work and harmlessness of a preparation for the person and an environment.

As a result of search we came to a conclusion about an opportunity of use of a household preparation "L.O.C." manufactures of firm " AMWAY ".

The universal cleaner "L.O.C." is intended for various applicability and idle time in the use. On structure - will consist completely from natural components. As manufacturers mark, is applied to all surfaces which are available in an apartment, starting from a floor up to any working surfaces. Does not leave, after itself traces, there is no necessity to rinse the cleared surface, she remains pure and fresh. Absolutely harmlessly for an environment. Application "L.O.C." reduces quantity of problems with a drain in sewer pipes as the solution "L.O.C." splits fats. On a kind - a transparent liquid with a pleasant smell, a superconcentrate. We shall add, that this preparation has received «the Certificate of conformity № UA 1.003.62706-03 washing and cleaners "AMWAY" (according to addition)».

On the basis of recommendations of manufacturers on use of a preparation and an available operational experience with textiles, we (as the expert - the conservative) have developed the technique of clearing.

Originally the technique has been tested by us for the standard pollution accompanying archeologic organic. As experimental samples the fine fragments of organic handed to us for research (with application of destroying methods of research) colleagues - archeologists undertook.

After we have received satisfactory result, we have applied our cleaning solution to textiles from the Cheerful tomb.
1. Clearing. Taking into account good safety of textiles we have picked up an optimum percentage of a hydroalcoholic solution "L.O.C.".

2. The received first results - have pleased us. After natural drying silk has got shine, plasticity, in separate places the rests of red dye (while the nature of an origin of dye - is not determined) were showed.

3. Manufacturers assert, that their preparation - has bactericidal properties. Taking into account at work with archeologic organic we have decided her to investigate necessity of stabilization of microflora before clearing. The received results - have completely satisfied us. Therefore, in the subsequent work with textiles, we have refused use of the poisons traditionally used by the Ukrainian conservatives, in the work.

4. As manufacturers mark, a preparation "L.O.C". Will consist of fresh coconut oil with addition of amino acids. Presence of an oil basis, no doubt, promotes plasticization of organic. It is especially necessary to tell about amino acids. The organic acids containing one or several amino groups refer to as amino acids. As is known, amino acids are the basic "a building material" for synthesis of specific fabric fibers, enzymes, and other physiologically active connections. Amino acids are widely used in modern pharmacology. Amino acids - natural components of any albuminous connections, including silk. Hence, the half-scientific effect of primary plasticization (so we have named restoration of partial plasticity of a fabric as a result of washing) is an influence as the coconut oil which are taking place in structure of a preparation, and, certainly, amino acids. There is it due to good hygroscopicity of silk. Taking into account this feature, for full plasticization we have applied pure "L.O.C.". As show supervision during 10 months, destructive processes in textiles it is not observed.
Thus, this method of clearing and plasticization can be recommended for archeologic textiles of good and satisfactory safety.

And only after that - there has come time of practical experiment.

For experimental recurrence we have selected technology of an embroidery in technics of brocade. The reason of our choice became unique safety of a researched sample and especially rare finds of a similar material in territory of modern Ukraine.

For work the modern similar materials as much as possible approached to a control sample have been picked up. We did not put a problem to reproduce completely a sample, but only to repeat a plot and technics of an embroidery for a long time the missed medieval Turkic ethnos - polovtsmen.

For recurrence chosen we needed only day. Thus, it is possible to assert, that the similar decor was rather accessible to the broad audiences of a society of that time and was everywhere used. The same conclusions are confirmed also with a sculpture of that time. As it is well-known, the wide fashion, being guided on elite, does not love difficult technologies, but loves - external shine. With it we also collide at research of textiles from «the Cheerful tomb».