• Korean Architects
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• no.5 s.230
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• pp.7-21
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• 1988

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.28
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• pp.65-88
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• 2022

The characteristics and behavior of bullets are important because they are directly related to the firearm performance. However, research related to bullets have been small. In this paper, scientific analysis was conducted to find out the materials and manufacturing process of metal bullets during the Joseon Dynasty, owned by Korea Army Museum, and the types of firearms available were classified and organized according to the bullet diameter. As a result, bullets were classified into iron bullets, lead bullets, and lead-coated iron bullets. Most of the iron bullets and lead bullets were made from casting. Some iron bullets were made from forging. And the lead-coated iron bullet was made by pouring molten lead after putting the iron bullet into the mold. Finally, the bullets could be used for Hand Cannon, Matchlock Musket, Frankish Cannon, Hyeon-ja Cannon, Dae-Wiwon Cannon, Small Cannon, and Hong-Yi Cannon.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.21
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• pp.17-28
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• 2019

The term jinjuseon(眞珠扇), meaning literally a pearl fan, refers to a fan decorated with precious stones for use in royal wedding ceremonies. This study examined a jinjuseon housed in the National Palace Museum of Korea (NPMK) which currently lacks jeweled ornaments. In order to determine whether pearls or other gemstone settings originally ornamented the fan,the surface and composition of the gray materials remaining on the washers were investigated and the fan was compared with other artifacts decorated using similar techniques. The analysis revealed that the gray materials visible around the round rims of the washers contain tin-lead alloys. The traces of folded nails suggest that soldering was not applied. The remains of the infill observed in other artifacts with bezel settings indicate that this jinjuseon in the NPMK collection was produced using abezel setting technique wherein pearls or other gemstones were affixed by filling cylindrical bezels with tin-lead alloys.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.114-129
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• 2022

Securing a safe place to keep its collections in Busan, the interim capital during the Korean War, the National Museum of Korea could fulfill its mission to protect the national treasures. Right before Seoul was recaptured by the Communist forces, the museum managed to evacuate its collections to Busan in December of 1950. Until the armistice in 1953, a Korean government warehouse in Busan had to function as a temporary museum building. Protecting the national treasures in this small building, the National Museum of Korea had to maintain its role as a national museum and contribute in revitalizing cultural functions of Busan, the interim capital. The efforts led to hope for reconstructing the museum.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.30
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• pp.89-100
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• 2023

Museum collections are comprised of a variety of materials, and different scientific examinations are being conducted according to the types and production properties of the materials, but insufficient research has been carried out on ultra-small artifacts. To identify the material characteristics of the white ultra-small materials excavated from Geumnyeongchong tomb, this study carried out a wide range of non-destructive analyses (specific gravity, microscopy, nano-computed tomography (Nano-CT), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy) and compared the said artifacts with the Goryeo-era burial accessories examined in prior research. Non-destructive analysis confirmed the presence of aragonite, which mainly consists of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) as the constituent mineral, and identified the material used for the ornaments as the gemstone pearl based on its growth lines. This study concludes that pearls began to be used in the ancient Korean Peninsula in the 6^th century. It is expected that scientific examinations of the white ultra-small artifacts will yield information about the social culture of the time.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.24
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• pp.17-36
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• 2020

This paper describes the consevation treatment of eleven bigyeokjincheolloe bomb shells that were excavated from the Joseon-period local government office and fortress of Mujang-hyeon (present-day Mujang-myeon) in Gochang in 2018. It also provides information on the production method of the shells revealed through CT scanning, gamma-ray transmission imaging, and metallographic analysis. In preparation for the special exhibition "Bigyeokjincheolloe" at the Jinju National Museum in 2019 (July 16 to August 25), contaminants were removed from the shells and their surface was reinforced during the first phase of conservation treatment. Furthermore, the closures for the shells were identified for the first time. Regarding the production of the shells, the CT scanning and gamma-ray transmission imaging identified many blowholes in the interior of the body and the use of a chaplet on the side of one shell. The side of the body proved to be relatively thinner than the top and bottom. The traces of a hole for pouring molten metal into the center of the bottom indicates that molten metal was indeed emptied into the inverted body. In the metallographic analysis of two of the bodies and one lid, cementite and pearlite structures were identified on the body, indicating that it was made by casting. The presence of the ferrite structure with a partial distribution of the pearlite along with non-metallic inclusion in the lid suggested that the lid was made by forging.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.22
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• pp.15-26
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• 2019

This study was focused on the three-dimensional convergence modeling that can multilaterally analyze internal and external shapes of the Sam-Chongtong Hand Canon by optical precision scanning optimized for acquiring the surface shape and X-ray CT scanning used for obtaining the internal shape. First, the scanning results were converted by compatible extension, after which three-dimensional deviation analysis was conducted to verify mutual conformities. Accordingly, most (56.98%) deviations between the two scanning models was found be ±0.1mm. This result did not influence registration and merging based on the ICP algorithm. The merged data exhibited the external surface color, detailed shapes, internal width, and structure of the hand canon. The three-dimensional model based on optical surface scanning and X-ray CT scanning can be used for traditional technique interpretation as well as digital documentation of cultural heritage. In the future, it will contribute to deliver accessible scientific information of exhibits for visitors.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.24
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• pp.37-54
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• 2020

This paper presents an archaeological interpretation of the results of conservation treatment and scientific analysis of the ancient Chinese bronze coin known as Huo Quan(貨泉) coins excavated from Tomb No. 4 at the Madeung Archaeological Site in Heukcheon-ri, Haenam. Huo Quan coins were issued in China by Wang Mang(王莽) when he founded the short-lived Xin(新) Dynasty and were used in the Samhan(三韓) period in Korea. A total of thirteen Huo Quan coins were excavated from the Madeung Archeological Site with some coins fused to each other. They were classified as clusters A, B, and C. On a coin from the B cluster the classical Chinese characters "貨泉" are visible to the naked eye, but no characters are visually identifiable in the other coins. For conservation treatment, foreign substances attached to the surfaces of the coins were removed, weak materials were reinforced with protective coatings, and fragments were reattached to the main bodies of the coins. Next, Nano CT scanning was conducted to identify the exact number of coins within the clusters and examine the surface condition of the coins. It revealed the inscription "貨泉" on twelve out of thirteen coins. In addition to these coins excavated from Heukcheon-ri, a number of coins were excavated from a tomb in Bokryong-dong, Gwangju. This necessitates an investigation into the possible development of a monetary economy in this region.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.161-182
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• 2021

A jungwangu, a type of medium-sized mortar, is a firearm with a barrel and a bowl-shaped projectileloading component. A bigyeokjincheonroe (bombshell) or a danseok (stone ball) could be used as a projectile. According to the Hwaposik eonhae (Korean Translation of the Method of Production and Use of Artillery, 1635) by Yi Seo, mortars were classified into four types according to its size: large, medium, small, or extra-small. A total of three mortars from the Joseon period have survived, including one large mortar (Treasure No. 857) and two medium versions (Treasure Nos. 858 and 859). In this study, the production method for medium mortars was investigated based on scientific analysis of the two extant medium mortars, respectively housed in the Jinju National Museum (Treasure No. 858) and the Korea Naval Academy Museum (Treasure No. 859). Since only two medium mortars remain in Korea, detailed specifications were compared between them based on precise 3D scanning information of the items, and the measurements were compared with the figures in relevant records from the period. According to the investigation, the two mortars showed only a minute difference in overall size but their weight differed by 5,507 grams. In particular, the location of the wick hole and the length of the handle were distinct. The extant medium mortars are highly similar to the specifications listed in the Hwaposik eonhae. The composition of the medium mortars was analyzed and compared with other bronze gunpowder weapons. The surface composition analysis showed that the medium mortars were made of a ternary alloy of Cu-Sn-Pb with average respective proportions of (wt%) 85.24, 10.16, and 2.98. The material composition of the medium mortars was very similar to the average composition of the small gun from the Joseon period analyzed in previous research. It also showed a similarity with that of bronze gun-metal from medieval Europe. The casting technique was investigated based on a casting defect on the surface and the CT image. Judging by the mold line on the side, it appears that they were made in a piece-mold wherein the mold was halved and using a vertical design with molten metal poured through the end of the chamber and the muzzle was at the bottom. Chaplets, an auxiliary device that fixed the mold and the core to the barrel wall, were identified, which may have been applied to maintain the uniformity of the barrel wall. While the two medium mortars (Treasure Nos. 858 and 859) are highly similar to each other in appearance, considering the difference in the arrangement of the chaplets between the two items it is likely that a different mold design was used for each item.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.15
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• pp.38-55
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• 2014

Three costumes excavated from the tomb of Yu Gyeongjong ^1565-1623, which are now own at Buyeo National Museum, underwent conservation treatment. As a result of this treatment, the costume types were correctly identified and their original forms were restored. Through the restoration process, various key features were discovered, enabling the costume types to be correctly identified as a dallyeong ^{Official's Uniform with Round Collar}, jingnyeong ^{Coat with Straight Collar}, and changui ^{Coat with Slits in the Rear and Sides}. One of the newly discovered key features was a new variety of pattern that differed from the prevalent cloud pattern of the time. Also, on the dallyeong, it was found that the ground of the hyungbae ^{Rank Badge}, was made from yeongeumsa ^{Wrapped Gold Thread}. These costumes are significant artifacts showing trends, patterns, forms, and other key characteristics of clothing from the late sixteenth to the early seventeenth century.