The investigation was undertaken to determine the main factors causing deterioration of bronze objects in soil by studying artefacts from archaeological excavations in progress. Objects that had been buried for 300-3000 years were examined. The composition of the metal, corrosion products, and surrounding soil was determined by chemical analysis. The possible effect of polluting sources and the environment in general was also taken into account. In total, 82 variables were coded, and their effects were statistically evaluated by multivariate analysis. Acidic soil, large deposits of sulfur pollutants in relation to the critical load, the presence of soot and soluble salt, and conditions giving access to water and air were found to accelerate the deterioration. A major part of the corrosion is likely to have occurred during the latest century. The results are of importance for the understanding and estimation of long-term corrosion of bronze objects in soil.

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The last century's environmental pollution has created health problems, acidification of ground and lakes, and serious damage to our cultural heritage. Outdoor monuments suffer from this pollution, but so do buried archaeological remains. However, research on the deterioration of archaeological artifacts underground has so far been limited, and it is important to draw attention to this neglected field. This article presents results obtained at the Swedish National Heritage Board on the degradation of archaeological objects of bronze and iron and of bones from prehistoric graves, materials of which seem to be most affected by pollutants. The investigation methods, which were employed, are described. Other relevant studies are briefly reviewed. It is obvious that the deterioration rate of archaeological artifacts, especially of inorganic materials, has accelerated in recent years, and that this increased deterioration to a large part can be attributed to anthropogenic pollution. Regions that might be endangered are exemplified.

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