This study provides a detailed investigation of archaeological wood samples from the Luoyang Canal No. 1 site, focusing on wood species identification, physical properties, mechanical property analyses, and morphological examination. The identified wood species, belonging to the Ulmus genus, exhibited a 43% decline in compressive strength in waterlogged environments. Further, the wood exhibited increased moisture content, higher porosity, reduced basic density, and elevated shrinkage rates, indicating a mild level of degradation. X-ray diffraction was employed for the observation of cellulose structure, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrated significant removal of cellulose and hemicellulose components. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding wood degradation mechanisms to evaluate structural integrity and durability in guiding the development of effective preservation strategies for archaeological wood artifacts. Continued research and conservation are crucial to deepen our knowledge of wood deterioration processes and enhance the implementation of preservation techniques.

The Shenduntou Site, a significant Zhou Dynasty settlement in Anhui Province, provides rare insights into early Chinese woodcraft. This study examines exceptionally preserved wooden structures from Well J1, dating to the Western Zhou period (9th–8th c. BCE). Anatomical analysis identified the timber as Firmiana simplex (L.), indicating ancient selection of this locally available species for its water resistance and mechanical suitability in well construction. Comprehensive degradation assessment revealed severe structural deterioration: maximum water content (1100% ± 85% vs. modern 120% ± 8%) demonstrated extreme porosity from hydrolysis; X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed a 69.5% reduction in cellulose crystallinity (16.1% vs. modern 52.8%); Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed near-total hemicellulose degradation, partial cellulose loss, and lignin enrichment due to chemical recalcitrance; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging documented multiscale damage including vessel thinning, pit membrane loss, and cell wall delamination from hydrolytic, microbial, and mineral degradation. These findings reflect Western Zhou inhabitants’ pragmatic resource utilisation while highlighting advanced material deterioration that poses significant conservation challenges, providing critical insights into Zhou-era woodcraft and human–environment interactions in the lower Yangtze region.

To ensure the conservation of waterlogged archaeological wood, sustainable, safe, and effective methods must be implemented, with consolidation and dehydration being crucial for long-term preservation to maintain dimensional stability and structural integrity. This study compares the permeability of 45% methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and 45% trehalose solutions to evaluate the dimensional changes, hygroscopicity, and mechanical properties of treated wood. Since the collected samples (from an ancient ship, Luoyang Canal No. 1) were mildly degraded, the drying method had a slight impact on the properties of archaeological wood. Consolidated with trehalose and MTMS agents, the longitudinal compressive strength of the waterlogged wood’s cell walls increased by 66.8% and 23.5%, respectively. Trehalose proved to be more advantageous in filling pores and reducing overall shrinkage, while MTMS significantly reduced the hygroscopicity and surface hydrophilicity of the wood substance. Overall, the MTMS treatment has a smaller effect on the appearance of samples, making it more suitable for the consolidation of mildly degraded waterlogged archaeological wood.