• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2020

In excavated bronze artifacts, corrosion products of various shapes and colors are observed due to multiple corrosion factors coexisting in the burial environment, and these corrosion products can constitute important data not only in terms of long-term corrosion-related information, but also in connection with preservation of artifacts. As such, scientific analysis is being carried out on the corrosion layer and corrosion products of bronze artifacts, and the corrosion mechanism and the characteristics of corrosion products elucidated, which is essential for interpreting the exposed burial environment and its association with corrosion factors inside the burial environment. In this study, after classifying excavated bronze artifacts according to alloy ratio and fabrication technique, comprehensive analysis of the surface of corrosion artifacts, corrosion layer, and corrosion products was carried out to investigate the corrosion mechanism, formation process of the corrosion layer, and characteristics of corrosion products. The study designated two groups according to alloy ratio and fabrication technique. In Group 1, which involved a Cu-Sn-Pb alloy and had no heat treatment, the surface was rough and external corrosion layers were formed on a part, or both sides, of the inside and the outside, and the surface was observed as being green or blue. α+δ phase selection corrosion was found in the metal and some were found to be concentrated in an empty space with a purity of 95 percent or more after α+δ phase corrosion. The Cu-Sn alloy and heat-treated Group 2 formed a smooth surface with no external corrosion layer, and a dark yellow surface was observed. In addition, no external corrosion layer was observed, unlike Group 1, and α corrosion was found inside the metal. In conclusion, it can be seen that the bronze artifacts excavated from the same site differ in various aspects, including the formation of the corrosion layer, the shape and color of the corrosion products, and the metal ion migration path, depending on the alloy ratio and fabrication technique. They also exhibited different corrosion characteristics in the same material, which means that different forms of corrosion can occur depending on the exposure environment in the burial setting. Therefore, even bronze artifacts excavated from the same site will have different corrosion characteristics depending on alloy ratio, fabrication technique, and exposure environment. The study shows one aspect of corrosion characteristics in specific areas and objects; further study of corrosion mechanisms in accordance with burial conditions will be required through analysis of the corrosive layer and corrosive product characteristics of bronze artifacts from various regions.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.174-193
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• 2023

Korea is surrounded by the sea and has rivers connecting to it throughout the inland areas, which has been a geographical characteristic since ancient times. As a result, there have been exchanges and conflicts with various countries through the sea, and rivers have facilitated the transportation of ships carrying grain, goods paid for by taxes, and passengers. Since the past, the sea and rivers have had a significant impact on the lives of Koreans. Consequently, it is expected that there are many cultural heritages submerged in the sea and rivers, and continuous efforts are being made to discover and preserve them. Underwater cultural heritage is difficult to discover due to its location in the sea or rivers, making direct visual observation and exploration challenging. To overcome these limitations, various geophysical survey techniques are employed. Geophysical survey methods utilize the physical properties of elastic waves, including their reflection and refraction, to conduct surveys such as bathymetry, underwater topography and strata. These techniques detect the physical characteristics of underwater objects and seafloor formation in the underwater environment, analyze differences, and identify underwater cultural heritage located on or buried in the seabed. Bathymetry uses an echo sounder, and an underwater topography survey uses a side-scan sonar to find underwater artifacts lying on or partially exposed to the seabed, and a marine shallow strata survey uses a sub-bottom profiler to find underwater heritages buried in the seabed. However, the underwater cultural heritage discovered in domestic waters thus far has largely been accidental findings by fishermen, divers, or octopus hunters. This study aims to analyze and summarize the latest research trends in equipment used for underwater cultural heritage exploration, including bathymetric surveys, underwater topography surveys and strata surveys. The goal is to contribute to research on underwater cultural heritage investigation in the domestic context.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.247-258
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• 2010

We conducted optical microscopy, infra-red spectroscopy and SEM-EDS analysis of the lacquer layers on the wooden coffins excavated from King Muryeong's Tomb. We found four varnishing methods according to the sub-materials of lacquer layers: The lacquer of wooden coffins with black paint layer on the surface were classified with two groups; single layer and three layers. The lacquer of wooden coffins without black paint layer on the surface were classified with two groups; single layer and two layers. IR spectra of the laquer were same as those of the oriental laquer. The SEM-EDS analysis showed that the lacquer layers were mixed with iron, copper and calcium.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.306-333
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• 2010

Previous studies on Wolseong fortress have focused on capital system of Silla Dynasty and on the recreation of Wolseong fortress due to the excavations in and around Wolseong moat. Since the report on the Geographical Survey of Wolseong fortress was published and GPR survey in Wolseong fortress was executed as a trial test in 2004, the academic interest in the site has now expanded to the inside of the fortress. From such context, the preliminary research on the fortress including geophysical survey had been commenced. GPR survey had been conducted for a year from March, 2007. The principal purpose of the recent 3D GPR survey was to provide visualization of subsurface images of the entire Wolseong fortress area. In order to obtain 3D GPR data, dense profile lines were laid in grid-form. The total area surveyed was $112,535m^2$. Depth slice was applied to analyse each level to examine how the layers of the remains had changed and overlapped over time. In addition, slice overlay analysis methodology was used to gather reflects of each depth on a single map. Isolated surface visualization, which is one of 3D analysis methods, was also employed to gain more in-depth understanding and more accurate interpretations of the remain The GPR survey has confirmed that there are building sites whose archaeological features can be classified into 14 different groups. Three interesting areas with huge public building arrangement have been found in Zone 2 in the far west, Zone 9 in the middle, and Zone 14 in the far east. It is recognized that such areas must had been used for important public functions. This research has displayed that 3D GPR survey can be effective for a vast area of archaeological remains and that slice overlay images can provide clearer image with high contrast for objects and remains buried the site.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.114-133
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• 2013

This study aims to identify the natural damage of the Samcheonsaji Temple Site in Bukhansan National Park and to suggest the plans to minimize damage for the remains. The types of natural damage are classified into direct vegetation damage, indirect topographical damage, and artificial damage. The most popular causes of damage to temple sites include the roots of trees as direct vegetation damage and the soil erosion by rain or stream as topographical damage. Direct vegetation damage includes burial remains damaged by the root of trees and vines, but it is often observed that some trees have contributed to protection against collapse. Indirect topographical changes have damaged the ruins by soil erosion caused by floods or typhoons. Vegetation changes due to topographical reasons have also caused damage. Artificial reasons of damage include forestry operations and compaction by hikers. Based on the analysis of the findings, the following could be suggested as plans to resolve these problems: 1. Natural damage occurs slowly due to negligence. Therefore, it could be reduced by forestry improvement, including forest density control through thinning, planting to prevent landslides, maintaining grasslands nearby. 2. Deciduous broadleaf trees can be planted to reduce soil erosion by rainfall. It is necessary to maintain the density of forests at around $0.02{\sim}0.18trees/m^2$. 3. It would be good to grow Quercus spp and Carpinus spp or weaken the community of Robinia pseudoacacia and Pueraria lobata which disturb the ecosystem. Samcheonsaji Temple Site is located in Mt. Bukhan National Park that is a publicly owned property. Therefore, it is constantly maintained for natural preservation and vegetation management could be considered for the preservation of historical remains.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.20
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

In February 1986, a high-school student reported the discovery of fragments of gilt-bronze burial goods on a mountainside behind a village in Ipjeom-ri, Ungpo-myeon in Iksan. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage immediately undertook an excavation. Unfortunately, gilt-bronze relics including a band and vertical decorations for a crown, a hat, and shoes had already been collected from Ipjeom-ri Tomb 1 by the student who found them before they could be properly excavated. Also, the interior of the stone chamber of the tomb had been severely disturbed by the time of excavation, making it difficult to identify the precise original locations of the relics within the tomb and hindering the reassembly of the fragments of the gilt-bronze crown. After conservation treatment, the gilt-bronze hat, shoes, and other relics were restored to their original forms and researchers were able to identify incised designs of a three-legged bonghwang(鳳凰), fish scales, lotus flowers, and other motifs. This study presents the major features of the fragments of gilt-bronze relics from Ipjeom-ri Tomb 1 and the methods of their production in order to provide basic material for their restoration and allow the eventual restoration of the giltbronze crown to its original condition.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.110-127
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• 2020

The term "conserved remains" refers to cultural remains that are preserved in accordance with the valuation of buried cultural properties when important remains are recognized in rescue excavations during construction work. South Korea's rapid economic growth and ensuing land development over the past few decades compelled a sharp increase in the number of rescue excavation cases, and, naturally, of conserved remains. Today, an increasingly large number of conserved remains have raised issues, including those concerning land expropriation as well as the management and utilization of such remains, but no clear solutions have been proposed. This study attempts to propose plans for improvement based mainly on the recognition of institutional issues rather than technical issues related to the conservation of cultural remains. This is because the identification and review of institutional deficiencies must be prioritized in order to efficiently manage conserved remains with limited resources and manpower. Among many possible proposals to demand improvement of conservation policies, one that must first be examined under the current system is the rapid transition, or review thereof, of "conserved remains" to "designated cultural properties." Unlike designated cultural properties, conserved remains are merely a temporary means of conservation, because they lack regulations for follow-ups subsequent to preliminary measures. Naturally, deferring the definition of relics as "conserved remains" for extended periods causes numerous problems. Measures to resolve such problems may include establishing a legal system to manage conserved remains at a level similar to designated cultural properties or seeking ways to improve management under the current system. This study focuses on areas where institutional improvement for conserved remains is possible by methods other than through the rapid transition to designated cultural properties and presents several proposals. Currently, conservation measures are divided into three categories: on-site conservation, relocation conservation, and record conservation. This study reclassifies these categories from three into four categories. On-site conservation includes only two categories: conserved remains and the newly-proposed soil-covered remains. Two remaining categories, the relocation conservation remains and the record conservation remains, are presented as classifications in which development projects are possible, and they are presented as alternative conservation types that contrast with on-site conservation. Unlike conserved remains, soil-covered conservation presented as a new category in which development projects are possible.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.58-63
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• 2011

pH control-precipitation method is used for recovery of EDTA from waste fluid of archeological waterlogged wood conservation treatment. EDTA has been used for eliminating of blacken effect in archeological waterlogged wood which was buried in the ground for long period of time. The black substance is generated by Fe$^{3+}$ in the soil reacted with tannin in the archeological waterlogged wood. In order to remove the black substance in archeological waterlogged wood, EDTA was used. The black substance is eliminated from wood as Fe-EDTA complex are formed, and EDTA is separated and precipitated from Fe-EDTA complexes at pH 2.68 or less. The result of analysis of the precipitated products and the commercial EDTA by FT-IR and FE-SEM showed that precipitated product by pH adjusted was not a type of Fe-EDTA complex, but pure EDTA. In this study, Fe$^{3+}$ from waste fluid of EDTA can be separated by HCl added. EDTA can be recycled by using the method of precipitation of EDTA in a strong acid.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.78-89
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• 2021

Organic residues analysis is an analysis method that reveals the types of organic material samples by using the characteristic that main components constituting substances are different depending on the species of animals and plants. In this study, scientific analysis of the organic residues attached to wood coffins in the Joseon Dynasty Hoemyo excavated from the site of Singok-dong, Uijeongbu was used to identify the types of remnants and to use them as information to restore the uses of organic materials and the way they lived in the past. As a result of FT-IR analysis of the residue attached to the inside of the wood, it was estimated to be a natural plant resin material. In addition, as a result of analysis by GC-MS to confirm the characteristic factors of natural resins, diterpenoids (abietane) and pimaran (pimarane), such as dehydroabietic acid and pimaric acid (diterpenoid) compounds, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acid components were detected together. Diterpenoid compounds are components mainly found in Pinaceae resins. It is confirmed in the literature that rosin, a representative material of Pinaceae resin, was used as an adhesive material. Considering the situation where an organic material remained at the joint of the wood, the organic material attached to the wood is judged to be an adhesive material made of Pinaceae resin. In addition, the fatty acid component detected together is a component derived from plant oil, and it is presumed to be made by mixing rosin and oil as recorded in previous studies. This study confirms that organic residues remain in the burial environment without losing their characteristics. It is expected that scientific analysis of organic residues will be conducted in the future to accumulate information necessary for the interpretation of past living culture.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.214-232
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• 2023

Stromatolite at the Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan was designated as a natural monument in December 2009 because it was very excellent in terms of rarity, accessibility, preservation and scale. From the time of designation, the necessity of confirming the lateral extension of the stromatolite beds with the excavation of the surrounding area, and preparing a preservation plan was raised. Accordingly, the Cultural Heritage Administration conducted an investigation of the scale, production pattern, and weathering state of stromatolites with an excavation from April to December 2022, and based on this, suggested natural heritage values and conservation and use plans. The excavation was carried out in a 1,186m² area surrounding the exposed hemispherical stromatolite (approximately 30m2). Stromatolites are continuously distributed over the entire excavation area, and hemispherical stromatolites predominate in the eastern region, and the distribution and size of hemispherical domes tend to decrease toward the west. These characteristics are interpreted as a result of long-term growth in large-scale lakes, where stratiform or small columnar domes continued to grow and connect with each other, finally forming large domes. Consequently, large and small domes were distributed on the bedding plane in clusters like coral reefs. The growth of plants and lichens, as well as small-scale faults and joints developed on the stromatolite bedding surface, is the main cause of accelerated weathering. However, preservation treatment with chemicals as with dinosaur footprints or dinosaur egg fossil sites is not suitable due to the characteristics of stromatolites, and preservation with the installation of closed protection facilities should be considered. This excavation confirmed that the distribution, size and value of stromatolites are much larger and higher than at the time of designation as a natural monument. Therefore, additional excavation of areas by experts that could not be excavated due to the discovery of buried cultural properties (stone chamber tombs) and reexamination of the expansion designation of natural monuments are required.