Earticle

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of general characteristics of sized silk fabrics for the painting purpose. Two particular types of silk fabrics used for painting background were compared: a recreation of historical material and a mass produced material of present day. The sizing process made the surface characteristics of the silk fabrics more suitable for painting. The dyeing properties of the fabrics were related to the surface area of the fabrics, and had no significant effect on their mechanical properties. The antibacterial activity of the tannin-based natural dyestuffs were maintained after the sizing. The performance assessment by the KES-FB system showed that the fabrics are more prone to deteriorate after the sizing because the glue layer receives the most of the physical stresses.

The adhesives joining Buddhist scripture scrolls from medieval Korea(Goryeo Dynasty, A.D. 918~1392) are different from wheat starch adhesive. The composition of the adhesive was analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflectance –Fourier Transform Infrared(ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. In the adhesive used to join Buddhist scripture scrolls, peaks attributed to amide I and amide II of the protein and carbohydrate were detected in the ATR-FTIR spectra, and no carbonyl peak(1745 cm-1) for oil was detected in the 2nd derivative ATR-FTIR spectra. The ATR-FTIR spectra almost coincided with those of defatted soybean powder adhesive. Hence, the adhesives joining Buddhist scripture scrolls were inferred to be soybean adhesive prepared from a defatted soybean cake.

To study the cleaning effects and post-treatment stability assessment of various methods of cleaning textiles with metal thread, six naturally-soiled historical textiles with metal thread were investigated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Prior to the cleaning of fabricated gold, silver, and copper thread that had been glued onto a paper substrate, the artificial deterioration was carried out in a controlled environment with light(UV and daylight), and temperature and humidity factors which would weaken and damage the samples. A synthetic soil mixture was applied to the samples to imitate soil found on the historic and archaeological textiles with metal thread; the cleaning effect and post-treatment assessment were investigated by use of three textile cleaning methods: mechanical cleaning, wet cleaning, and solvent cleaning. While investigating the naturally-soiled textiles with metal thread, it was determined that the soil colors and sizes of contaminating particles of each textile were different due to the diversity of original environmental factors and conditions. After cleaning with kneaded rubber, Stoddard solvent, n-decane or n-hexane, a bright, clean effect was apparent. Kneaded rubber was successful in picking up both large and small particles, but its stickiness caused some of the metal leaf to peel off. Stoddard solvent produced a good cleaning effect, but after use of n-hexane and n-decane in the cleaning process, a white layer of residue remained on the textile’s surface. Wet cleaning was not effective and the rapid humidity changes between wet and dry conditions caused the edges of the paper substrate to lose their original shape.

During the conservation and maintenance of the birthplace center yard of President Asan Yoon Bosun, four porcelain enamel dishware were excavated from the central yard well. The glaze layer of excavated enamel was severely damaged; hence, the conservation process was done rapidly. In addition, scientific investigation and analysis were conducted to confirm the material properties of the glaze layer. It was confirmed that the outer surface was inverted and dried, while the inner surface was upright and fired during the glazing and drying process by measuring the film thickness. By examining the breakup phenomenon, the breaking up of the white enamel on the colored enamel was confirmed. This indicates that the colored glaze rose to the surface depending on the density of the colored glaze and white glaze. The investigation of the cross-section of the film confirmed that the lower layer formed according to the bonding properties with metal during the glazing process. Analysis of the constituents of the identified lower layer confirmed that there are differences between the specific components of the metal oxide of the lower layer and the surface color development of the upper layer.

This study analyzes the material characteristics of stone tools of the Paleolithic period excavated from the Osong site, located at the project site for the creation of the Osong 2nd Life Science Complex, and estimates the provenance of the stone materials. Because the stones had been buried for a long time, their surfaces had become heavily weathered yellow or yellowish-brown, and the magnetic susceptibility values varied from 0 to 15(×10-3 SI). The excavated stone tools were rocks with various magnetic susceptibility values that could not be specified. Five stone tools subjected to destructive analysis were divided into two groups, one with a value of 1-3(×10-3 SI) and the other with a value of 5–9(×10-3 SI), both based on visible characteristics. The results of the thin-section analysis showed that most of the stone tools were basaltic rocks comprising plagioclase, quartz, and pyroxene, and some had iron content as high as 20 wt.%. These findings and the present geological map suggest that the stone tools were not made from the surrounding rocks because there are no areas containing basaltic rocks surrounding Bongsan-ri in Osong-eup. Andesite and tuff are distributed along with basaltic rocks in the Doan-myeon area in Jeongpyeong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, but the distance from the excavation site is too far. To determine whether this region is actually related to the provenance of the raw rock, it is necessary to conduct additional field surveys and comprehensive and precise analyses.

This paper provides quantitative data that describes the evolution of the air quality in the Whale and Sea Museum, located in the Iwate prefecture, collected after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The museum was damaged significantly by the disaster, and restoration works continued for over six years. The air quality in the temporary storage facility and museum was monitored during the rehabilitation process. Evaluation of air quality is carried out by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry, ion chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the characteristics of the chemical components differed depending on the measurement locations inside the building. The museum atmosphere tended to be alkaline as the airtightness increased because of the maintenance works at the entrance. It was also determined that it was necessary to study the intake/exhaust routes and to clean them according to the contamination degree. In Japan, there are recommended museum air quality standards for acetic acid, formic acid, alkali, and aldehydes. The results indicated that these standards should not be used as a reference for damaged museums. Furthermore, at the temporary storage facilities for to store the collections during the rehabilitation of the museum, solvents such as ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylene are initially abundant, although they can be reduced by ventilation, while other components such as 2E1H was confirmed in this case are likely to remain.

In this study, a scientific survey on the material of the mother-of-pearl floor mirror was conducted and conservation treatment processes were introduced. The survey results showed that the mother-of-pearl floor mirror in Daejojeon Hall of Changdeokgung is made of Dalbergia spp., and repair work seems to be done later with shorea spp. FT-IR analysis results showed that the varnishing is similar to the spectrum of lacquer. The metal wheels and metal line decorations set with mother-of-pearl were found to be made of brass based on XRF analysis, and the ingredient ratio showed that these were made in modern times. Foreign materials were stuck on the surface of the mother-of-pearl floor mirror before conservation treatment, which was in a structurally unstable condition owing to some missing submaterials. Conservation treatment was conducted on the damaged area to restore the mirror to its original appearance by using the same species of wood determined from the data obtained through the scientific survey.

This study examined the applicability of digital technologies based on three-dimensional(3D) scanning, modeling, and printing to the restoration of damaged artifacts. First, 3D close-range scanning was utilized to make a high-resolution polygon mesh model of a roof-end tile with a missing part, and a 3D virtual restoration of the missing part was conducted using a haptic interface. Furthermore, the virtual restoration model was printed out with a 3D printer using the material extrusion method and a PLA filament. Then, the additive structure of the printed output with a scanning electron microscope was observed and its shape accuracy was analyzed through 3D deviation analysis. It was discovered that the 3D printing output of the missing part has high dimensional accuracy and layer thickness, thus fitting extremely well with the fracture surface of the original roof-end tile. The convergence of digital virtual restoration based on 3D scanning and 3D printing technology has helped in minimizing contact with the artifact and broadening the choice of restoration materials significantly. In the future, if the efficiency of the virtual restoration modeling process is improved and the material stability of the printed output for the purpose of restoration is sufficiently verified, the usability of 3D digital technologies in cultural heritage restoration will increase.

The extensive archaeological remains at the Baekje Kingdom site of Wanggung-ri, Iksan, in the South Jeolla Province, Korea, include a seventh century workshop area that was later covered by the construction of a Buddhist temple. Remains of glass, gold, and bronze artefacts, and the ceramic crucibles used in the working of these materials, provide evidence for a multi-craft, high-temperature technology. We will report the results of both chemical compositional and lead isotope analyses for Wanggung-ri glass, which is among the earliest lead-silica glass type in East Asia, as well as review the evidence for primary glass production at Wanggung-ri.

The fragments of a wall painting excavated from among the historical remains of Jeseoksa Temple in Iksan. The extent of the damage to the fragments was examined and an analysis of the components of the pigment was conducted. The results of the component analysis of the pigment confirmed that the white pigment consisted of alkali feldspar and mullite. Although the results of the visual inspection revealed differences in color in the red and black pigments, the main component of the two colors was confirmed to be iron oxide. Red and black pigments are found at the same position. Although differences of color is obvious, those are identified as hematite and magnetite of oxidized steel’s affiliation. It is judged that Differences of ingredients happened by external environment’s factors.