NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson University scientists have trimmed years from the time-consuming process of conserving historic artifacts ranging from an old ax head to Civil War shot and a ballast block from the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley.

The process of using subcritical and supercritical treatment of the items could revolutionize the way historic artifacts are conserved. The technique existed only in theory a decade ago.