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About 300 waterlogged olive (Olea europaea) stones were discovered in a well during the excavation of the Agora of Ancient Pella, Greece, dated to the beginning of the third century BC. The biodegradable nature of the material prompted an investigation to evaluate the degree of degradation of the stones and find an appropriate conservation method. Hand‐cut sections of both excavated and fresh stones were stained and examined under a light microscope, in order to investigate morphological alterations at the cellular level. Physical properties were examined, including moisture content, density and shrinkage values. Data obtained indicated a moderate degree of degradation of the archaeological stones in comparison with fresh stones. A comparative conservation study followed, involving acetone series dehydration, acetone‐rosin treatment and one‐stage impregnation treatments using polyethylene glycols (PEG) (molecular weights 400, 1500 and 4000), followed by either air‐ or vacuum freeze‐drying. Consolidation efficacy of each treatment was evaluated based on the resulting anti‐shrink efficiency (%ASE) values and the final appearance of olive endocarps. Acetone‐rosin treatment provided the best consolidation and aesthetic results, followed by acetone series dehydration. Impregnations with PEG 4000, 1500 and 400, followed by air‐drying, did not give satisfactory results. Vacuum freeze‐drying was found to be unsuitable for this type of material.
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