• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.211-222
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• 2011

The Mireuksaji stone pagoda was built foundation in the reign of King Moo (AD 639) in the Baekje Kingdom of ancient Korea. The stone properties of the pagoda were quarried from Mountain Mireuk, which are medium to coarse-grained light gray biotite granite formed during the Jurassic, and are composed of quartz, feldspar, biotite, muscovite, apatite and allanite. It was strong relatively but became weak from prolonged weathering, and as a result its durability fell to $883kgf/cm^3$ (moderate weathering degree). In the process, cut-off (31%), deletion (57%) and crack (44%) occurred in foundation materials by the influence of bending, shear and compressive force. Hereat, the original materials were treated through a preservation process. As a result, approximately 74% of original materials have been able to be reused, inclusive of 55 materials that were to be partially replaced by new stones. On the other hand, it is inevitable that the other 26% including exterior stones and support-based stones have to be partially replaced by new stones. It implies that there is a need to find stones that are identical or similar to those of the pagoda. Consequently, a lithological study was conducted on stones in quarries located in Iksan and an investigation was made into their properties. The results showed that stones in the Hwangdeung area were most similar to those of the pagoda mineralogically and their properties were most stable.

• Magazine of RCR
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2024

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2012

Iksan Mireuksaji Stone pagoda was built A.D. 639 when King Moo was governing Baekje, in which Sarira has been enshrined in a hole dug in the stereobate for 1,370 years. In South Korea, about 150 cases of Sarira have been found so far. In this connection, many studies have been conducted on how to manage it and on its genesis, but there have been no data on environments to which it has been exposed. In this study, accordingly, researches were made into environments to which Sarira has been exposed as well as into how much it has been damaged under the environments. Sarira in wooden pagodas was influenced greatly by water, but that in stone pagodas by saturated relative humidity. Thus, Sarira in the containers was significantly influenced by the outside temperature for 1 to 2 days, but had no any reaction to humidity. The time it took for the humidity in a Sarira container to reach its maximum, varied depending upon the humidity of the day when Sarira was enshrined. In the case of this pagoda, the humidity reached its maximum 30 days later.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.210-223
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• 2014

When sarira reliquary was found in stone pagoda of Mireuksa Temple, there were 494 gold artifacts, including inner gold pot, gold plate with inscription for Sarira enshrinement, etc. Most of gold artifacts were crafted, but there were 22 gold plates and 4 gold ingots, which did not have any specific shape. It was considered that they had not been crafted. Since gold exists as a metal rather than a metallic oxide in nature, in general, it can be crafted by melting and shaping. However, gold in nature has impurities so it has to be refined to have malleability. The characteristic features were identified through the analysis of gold artifacts from sarira reliquary found in stone pagoda of Mireuksa Temple. The analysis result showed that there were 3 types of gold; pure gold artifacts, artifacts produced with silver containing gold and natural gold ingots. Inner gold pot, gold earrings and gold small beads were produced with pure gold and they contained less than 1wt.% of copper. It seemed like they were produced as pure gold to be shaped by hammering. Gold plate with inscription, tweezers, gold earrings, ingots, etc. were produced with silver containing gold as they had to be more solid. Gold ingots seemed to be natural gold considering the distribution of silver and copper in them, but it cannot be concluded as there are not enough information on gold ingots in Korea. The comprehensive research on gold ingots from various regions in Korea has to be carried out to confirm the above. Sarira Reliquary showed the very sophisticated gold craftsmanship. Gold ingots with the inscriptions, which say 1 nyang, were approximately 14g. Considering the weight of these ingots as standard, weights of other ingots were half nyang(7g), 2 nyang(28g), etc.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.3 s.178
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• pp.285-299
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• 2006

The Mireuksaji stone pagoda in Iksan is the largest stone pagoda existing in Eastern Asia. It was assumed that originally it had been established in the shape of nine-storied pagoda but as time went by only six-storied pagoda remained partially due to collapsing, repair and reconstruction. According to the reference, we can't make sure when its modification happened. The form that the pagoda is having now, was modified with concrete by the Japanese during the 1910s. The materials mixed in concrete were mixture of Portland cement, all sorts of stone, sand, and a little bit of new building stone, additive and compound. And also these materials were applied to cultural assets without any experiment at the time of 1910s as maintenance, which are still used recently. To prevent the change of its shape, the west side, south side and the north side which is partially destructed was rebuilt and reinforced with concrete and some of the deformed parts were also filled. The amounts of concrete used were about 200 tons. Such method had prevented the pagoda from destructing, however, by choosing a wrong repair method, its surface of the stone has secondary contaminants and precipitation caused by concrete. This kind of contamination speeds up the weathering which accelerates the aging mechanism of the stone to make it even harder to revive the absence of historical nature. Therefore, we are to find the best cleaning method to remove the secondary hazard contaminants.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to reveal the characteristics, correlations, and colorant materials of those using the chemical compositions of 30 glasses excavated from the Sarari hall of the Mireuksaji stone pagoda, and to determine the correlations between them and other glass excavated from the Wanggungri site. The results of the chemical analysis of the 11 glass beads show that they are a soda glass group with high contents of $SiO_2$ and $Na_2O$; these can be further subdivided into soda-alumina groups ($Na_2O-Al_2O_3-CaO-Si_2O$). The characteristics of the stabilizer are classified as being of the high alumina glass group (LCHA), except for two glasses. It was concluded that colorant materials affected the coloring for glass beads by various components including Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu and Pb. In addition, we examined six lead glasses which are glass plate and unknown fragments that are of a common lead glass system ($PbO-SiO_2$) with respect to the average contents of PbO (70wt.%) and $SiO_2$ (30wt.%). As a result of comparing these relics with those of the glass beads excavated by Wanggungri, there is a similarity in that they belong to the soda glass group. However, the contents of $Na_2O$ are relatively higher than that of the glass beads in the Mireuksaji pagoda, and most of relics include glasses with a low content of $K_2O$ and CaO. In addition, the PbO and $SiO_2$ contents are slightly different in the lead glass. It seems that the glass relics made at two different sites may have used different raw materials or techniques.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2007

The Iksan Mireuksaji stone pagoda, designated as national treasure No. 11 in Korea, has been in the process of disassembling for reconstruction as part of the cultural heritage conservation program. The pagoda is mainly consisting of granite, which is relatively resistant to weathering. However, it has lost its original rock color due to various contaminants deposited at the surface since it exposed to the atmospheric environment long time. In this research, we categorized the secondary inorganic contaminants into the genetic type, and also quantitatively examined occurrences and types of pollutants in the oxidation area of the pagoda surface in which the area is clearly distinguished by naked eyes. Geochemical behavior of soluble pollutants through reaction experiments are demonstrated, and effective methods of cleaning for the conservation and scientific applicability of the surface cleaner are also studied.

• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.99
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• pp.50-71
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• 2021

The Five-story Stone Pagoda from the Dongsa-ri Temple Site in Buyeo, dated to early Goyeo Dynasty, is valuable in that it is the southernmost example of the capital Kaesong pagoda style. This pagoda exhibits characteristics of the central Goryeo style featured in the pagodas built in and around the capital Kaesong, such as the diagonally curved section of the support for the cover stone above the upper stereobate. It also shares stylistic affinities with eleventh-century stone pagodas. The ansangmun (elephant eye patterns) in the lower stereobate of the Dongsa-ri Five-story Stone Pagoda resemble those in the pedestal of the Stone Seated Buddha (which was likely repaired in 1028 during the reign of King Hyeonjong), at the Jeongrimsa Temple site in Buyeo. It also reflects elements found in the flagpole supports from the Cheonheungsa Temple site in Cheonan. The sculpting techniques used in these patterns are also similar. Such congruencies suggest that the Dongsa-ri Five-story Stone Pagoda was built in the eleventh century. The Dongsa-ri Temple Site in Buyeo, located near the Geumgang River, served as a principal route for transporting grain-tax during the Goryeo Dynasty. It was also situated along the way to the Goryeo royal temple, Gaetaesa Temple. The geographical significance of the site and the extensive repairs undertaken at Jeongrimsa Temple during the reign of King Hyeonjong (r. 1009-1031) of the Goryeo Dynasty appear to have impacted the production of the Dongsa-ri Five-story Stone Pagoda. The Dongsa-ri Five-story Stone Pagoda also bears stylistic resemblances to the stone pagoda and flagpole supports found at neighboring Cheonheungsa Temple, which is presumed to be related to the establishment of Honggyeongsa (or Honggyeongwon) Temple in 1021 in Cheonan. This indicates the route of the transmission of the Kaesong pagoda style. The Five-story Stone Pagoda from the Dongsa-ri Temple Site pays testimony to the cultural accomplishments of eleventh-century stone artworks in Buyeo and adjacent regions. This pagoda embodies the majestic and assertive aesthetics that define of the Goryeo Dynasty, as do early Goryeo colossal Buddhist sculptures, including the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva at Daejosa Temple in Buyeo, the Stone Standing Buddha Triad at Gaetaesa Temple in Nonsan, and the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva at Gwanchoksa Temple in Nonsan. All of these bear similarities to the massive stone lantern and pagoda at Hyeonhwasa Temple in the capital Kaesong. The production of the light, sleek, sharp, and sophisticated Dongsa-ri Five-story Stone Pagoda is presumed to reflect the maturity of the cultural competence of the people in Dongsa-ri, Buyeo under the influence of Buddhist culture from the capital Kaesong during the eleventh century, a time marked by active cultural exchanges among regions.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.23
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• pp.11-24
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• 2008

A physical characteristics and chemical compositions change by weathering on the granite were examined for the conservation treatment of the Mireuksaji temple stone pagoda. The natural weathered granite was collected from the Mt. Mireuk, and divided into the classification standards based on weathering degrees and strength measured by rock-test hammer. The results from comparison of the strength measured by undestructive rock-test hammer and the strength values converted from ultrasonic velocity showed that each strength measurement value was proportionate. The water absorption of the sample was 1.68 to 0.20%. The F-type of fresh rock was not naturally saturated and the WW-type was naturally saturated but took quite a long time. The water absorption was increased gradually in order of SW-type, the MW-type and the HW-type according to weathering condition. The CW-type samples showed the highest water absorption among the weathered classification samples. Through dyeing test, it was found out that only the feldspar was dyed out of the F-type and the WW-type. The SW-type and the MW-type were distinguished by the fact that plagioclase being dyed. And dyed area was expanded to quartz crack in HW-type and CW-type. Physical change by weathering of the rock-forming minerals could be classified with 3 grades. Through the XRD analysis, albite among the rock-forming mineral showed remarkable decrease. SEM-EDX analysis of the component change in the rock-forming minerals such as biotite, plagioclase, and orthoclase, showed that in case of highly-weathered grade samples compared with fresh samples, contents of the $Al_2O_3$, $K_2O$, $Na_2O$ increase and CaO, MgO decrease in the biotite, the CaO, $K_2O$ increase and $Na_2O$ decrease in the plagioclase, the $Al_2O_3$ a little increase and $K_2O$, $Na_2O$ decrease in the orthoclase. The results of extracted cation analysis using the powder samples of each weathering grade, the CaO, $Na_2O$, $K_2O$ and MgO are highly chemical variations in rock forming minerals and positive variation show high in the weathering grade of the WW-type and CW-type. This research will be used as an importance data to establish a plan for conservation treatment of composed stone in the Mireuksaji temple stone pagoda.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.74-91
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• 2014

The stone statues in the site of Mireuksaji Temple(Iksan, South Korea) were created after the stone pagoda was built in 639. They, transitional statues between animal sculptures and human shaped statues made from the late Goryeo dynasty until the early Joseon dynasty, were set up at the four corners of the stone pagoda by way of guardians. In the case of three statues, their surfaces were denudated and their iconographies have been indiscernible. However, the one in the southwest clearly shows its iconography. It is inferior in properties to the other three statues in the northwest, the northeast and the southeast respectively, but on the other hand its iconography has been well maintained. The reason is related to exposure to harmful environments; specifically, the retaining wall, built around the stone pagoda in the 17th century, had the southwest statue inside and could naturally worked as a buffer against harmful environments. As a result, for about 400 years there has been difference in weathering conditions between the three stone statues and the southwest statue, which brought denudation, the consequent indiscernibleness of iconography and biological invasion to the three statues, notwithstanding superior properties(northwest statue:$176kgf/cm^2$, northeast statue:$109kgf/cm^2$, southeast statue:$273kgf/cm^2$). In contrast, the southwest statue significantly shows its iconography with black contaminants and granule decomposition, despite inferior properties($133kgf/cm^2$). Defenseless exposure to external environment is not recommended for the stone statues, because it is hard to preserve the extant iconography. Herein lies the application of the data on microclimate around Mireuksaji Temple. As regards the weathering zone in which the stone statues are located, Conservation increases in acidity and frequency as years go by, Hereat, in the approach to the Conservation of stone statues, the first consideration needs to be morphological historicity rather than geographical location.