Следы от струн на колках

In 2019, I decided to film an experiment that could show what happens to a peg from a stringed musical instrument after it gets into a humid environment. That is, to show the process of archaeological peg. This experiment is related to the issue of traces from strings that could remain on pegs. Different materials leave different traces on the surface of pegs. From the practice of using musical instruments with wooden pegs, we know that metal strings can leave quite deep traces on pegs. If metal strings were used in the Middle Ages, then traces could have remained on archaeological finds of pegs. But no one has yet found these traces on the pegs that were discovered in archaeological excavations in Novgorod. This could indicate that the strings were made of a softer material than metal. Meanwhile, it is worth paying attention to one property of wood fibers. When exposed to a humid environment, wood is restored almost to its original shape. Therefore, the absence of deep string marks is not an argument in favor of the fact that metal strings were not used on medieval instruments in Novgorod. For the experiment, we took a peg from a gusli on which copper strings were installed. The peg was made of birch. After the peg was removed, deep string marks can be seen on it. We placed this peg in a container filled with cold water. The accelerated shooting shows how the wood fibers restore their shape. The next day, we examined the peg. The wood restored its original shape. But a small string mark is visible. The mark did not disappear completely. After this, the peg was left in water for one month. After a month, the condition of the peg did not change fundamentally. The deep deformations from the string straightened out, a slightly noticeable mark remained. Afterwards, the peg was placed in a container with water and forgotten for five years. After five years, it was discovered. What had happened during this time? The peg had become covered in slime, and the wood had darkened. The peg was washed and examined. The examination showed that the string marks were still visible. But they could only be seen upon close inspection. The mark was shallow. After this, the peg was placed back in a container with water. In conclusion, it can be said that deep marks from metal strings on wooden pegs in a humid environment are straightened out. However, these marks can still be replaced on the surface of the pegs.