To properly conserve waterlogged archaeological wood, environmental control is essential because environmental conditions greatly influence microbial growth and their decomposition of wooden cultural properties. Destructive microorganisms are usually active in environments that are wet, oxygenated and warm29. Optimal humidity levels for white-rot and brown-rot fungi are in the range of 40%–80%30. The waterlogged state of the integral hull could impede microbial activity and confer some protection for the ship. Oxygen concentration is crucial for fungal growth, and the upper deck of Nanhai No. 1 is exposed to air. Due to the large size of the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck and the intermittent entrance of archaeological workers into the museum to perform archaeological excavation and protection work, maintaining an oxygen-free environment may be problematic, but reducing the oxygen concentration around the ship should be considered. Moreover, the temperature inside the museum is suitable for the growth and survival of most microorganisms and thus likely contributes to the microbial colonization on the ship. The storage of waterlogged excavated wood should be at low temperature (the Mary Rose spraying system is approximately 5 °C)31.