An Investigation into the Characteristics of the Burial Ground Materials around Mummies in Andong

안동 미이라 지역 매장지반재료의 특성규명

  • 황지호 (서울대학교 지구환경시스템공학부) ;
  • 김성수 (서울대학교 지구환경시스템공학부) ;
  • 박형동 (서울대학교 지구환경시스템공학부)
  • Published : 2000.10.01

Abstract

Although the mummies of Lee Myeong-Jung and his wife who were a member of the Moon family, were buried in similar sites in around 1560, the degree of decay of the dead bodies and antiquities between two people were quite different. This study was focused on the cause of-those differences in terms of engineering geology. Cranular soil found several metered depth around the study site has good drainage ability and such characteristic could be a factor of excellent conservation of dead body. From the physical characteristics of the lime-containing material that is considered to be a barrier from water and air, it was observed that the material around dead body of wife was more compact and denser than that of husband. Such results could be a clear evidence that the lime containing material around dead body of wife was excellent barrier for keeping away from water and air. To investigate those differences of physical characteristics and constituent materials between two lime-containing materials, minerals had to be identified from the two materials. It was revealed that lime-containing material around dead body of wife contains gypsum and more calcite, which could be the reason for better barrier preventing from water and air than those around husband.

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