1500 Central and South American archaeological ceramics in the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, required desalination treatment. Cyclododecane (CDD) was investigated as a temporary consolidant for extremely friable ceramics during desalination, leading to an investigation of post-sublimation residue. Watch glasses, new unglazed terracotta saucers, and thick potsherds from the archaeological collection were treated and desalinated. No residues were detected after sublimation on watch glasses, the saucers, and archaeological potsherds that did not undergo desalination. Residues were found on all archaeological potsherds that were desalinated. Microscopical study and infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) indicated the residue to be primarily of biological origin. Its presence could result from the growth within the CDD of bacteria, mould and yeast present in the archaeological ceramic. There was no evidence of CDD remaining in the residue. Residues on desalinated potsherds consolidated with molten CDD were thin, lightly cohesive sheets. The residue could be lifted off with electrostatically charged nylon brush or polyester film. Residues formed in the CDD applied as a solution were less cohesive and could only be removed by brushing. In most cases, some ceramic particles were lost. It was concluded that temporary consolidation with CDD was not useful in desalination treatments.