• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.25
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• pp.63-84
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• 2021

In order to investigate the diverse physicochemical changes that occurred in traditional Korean pottery during its production, including before and after firing, this study produced six replicas of a celadon maebyeong inlaid with cloud-and-crane designs, respectively corresponding to the process of shaping, carving, inlaying designs, first firing, glazing and second firing, respectively. It then conducted a scientific study of these six replicas and analyzed their images through high-resolution three-dimensional transmission imaging. The materials used for the replicas show different mineral phases and even colors depending on the components of each material. For example, black inlay with a high content of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) shows dark colors and white inlay with a high alumina (Al₂O₃) content appears white. Physicochemical properties such as chromaticity and magnetic susceptibility and major components of the replicas were confirmed by the differences in the density in the computed tomography (CT) images. The characteristics of fired products such as fine structure, absorption ratio, apparent porosity, and other characteristics of the major mineral components were identified by the presence of pores and the formation of cracks inside the replicas in the image analysis.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.27
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• pp.103-124
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• 2022

This study examined the properties of the materials used in the three-story pagoda at Jangha-ri, Buyeo. It was performed in order to identify the objective condition of the pagoda and establish an appropriate plan for the conservation treatment of the pagoda. According to the study, the average total magnetic susceptibility was 3.71 (10^-3 SI unit), and at least four types of granite with different origins were likely used in the production of the pagoda. The ultrasonic velocity averaged 1,519m/s, and the coefficient of weathering showed an average of grade 4. The thermal gradient between the cement (restoration materials) and original materials was identified through thermal imaging. In some areas, the cement restoration materials required replacement with new stone materials with properties similar to those of the original stone materials. Taking into account these results, a map of weathering damage was prepared and appropriate conservation treatment plans were established based on the findings of previous studies. Since the pagoda had suffered severe biological damage and discoloration, surface contaminants were removed through wet cleaning with distilled water and a brush. The exfoliated areas were reinforced on the site by mixing epoxy resin with powdered stone with the same properties as the original stone materials of the pagoda.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.199-212
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• 2021

The Sebyeonggwan Hall (National Treasure No. 305) is located on the Naval Headquarter of Three Provinces in Tongyeong, and it has partly undergone with several rebuilding, remodeling, repairing and restorations since it's the first establishment in Joseon Dynasty (AD 1605) of ancient Korea. This study focuses on 50 foundation stones that comprise the Sebyeonggwan. These stones are made of six rock types and currently have various shapes of the surface damages. As the foundation stones, the dominant rock type was dacitic lapilli tuffs, and provenance-based interpretation was performed to supply alternative stones for conservation. Most of the provenance rocks for foundation stones showed highly homogeneity with their corresponding stones of petrography, mineralogy and magnetic susceptibility. According to surface deterioration assessments, the most serious damages of the stones were blistering and scaling. The deterioration mechanism was identified through the analysis of inorganic contaminants, and the primary reason is considered salt weathering caused by sea breeze and other combined circumstances. Based on the mechanical durability of the stones, there was no foundation stone that required the replacement of its members attributed to the degradation of the rock properties, but conservation treatment is considered necessary to delay superficial damage. The foundation stones are characterized by a combined outcome of multiple petrological factors that caused physical damage to surfaces and internal defects. Therefore, it's required to diagnosis and monitoring the Sebyeonggwan regularly for long-term preservation.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.778-790
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• 2021

The Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha in Bijung-ri are state-designated heritage (treasure) statues having the Buddha style of the Goryeo dynasty from the 6th century. Conservation scientific investigations were conducted to understand the preservation status of these stone Buddha statues and to establish a conservation plan. The Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha are composed of fine-medium grained biotite granite, which is considered to be of the same origin owing to their low magnetic susceptibility distribution of less than 0.2 (×10^-3 SI unit) and similar mineral characteristics. The Stone Seated Buddha Triad has highly homogenous mineral composition and particle size, whole-rock magnetic susceptibility, and geochemical characteristics very similar to those of the nearby outcrop. It was confirmed that a combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors affects the Stone Buddha statues. In particular, both the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha tend to be chipped off from the front and cracked and scaled from the back. The Stone Standing Buddha located outdoors experiences granularity decomposition and black algae formation, which accelerate the weathering under unfavorable conservation environments. The result of non-destructive physical property diagnosis using ultrasonic velocity showed that both the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha have been completely weathered (CW), indicating very poor physical properties.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.201-215
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• 2023

In the stone-lined tombs from Cheongyang Rokpyeong-ri site, several stone-lined tombs corresponding to the Three Kingdoms Period, Unified Silla Period and Goryeo Dynasty were excavated. In this study, the stone properties of petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics from 15 stone-lined tombs were analyzed, the rock species and occupation rate were reviewed, also the provenance area was interpreted. There are five types of rocks used as members of the tombs, including black sandstone, greywacke, slate, conglomerate and gneiss. As a result of magnetic susceptibilities, the rocks of the tombs and presumed provenance are all shown in the same range, and the similarity between the tombs and the source area is high in geochemical behavior characteristics. The stone properties of the tombs are the same as the presumed provenance rocks and is distributed within a 500m around the bedrock of the tombs in the excavation site, so it seems that self-sufficiency was possible on the site without a special procurement system. These stones are interpreted to have been constructed through some trimming without any special technique, but some stone tombs have been confirmed to used homogeneous black sandstone at the bottom of the tombs, so it is believed that there were artificial selection of stones.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.78-91
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• 2018

Sangjogam, located in Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, was designated as Natural Monument #411, because of its diverse geological heritage, such as fossils, ripple marks, dykes, and columnar joints. In the area, Byeongpungbawi, with its beautiful columnar joints vertical to the bedding plane of the underlying sedimentary rocks and spectacular coastal view, was named after its overall shape reminiscent of a huge folding screen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the formation process of the columnar joints using the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) method. AMS measurements showed that the k1 and k3 values representative of directions of the long and short axes of a magnetic particle at each point strongly clustered, and the oblate magnetic foliation structure in Byeongpungbawi developed during sill-type intrusion rather than lava flow. In summary, Byeongpungbawi was produced by sill-type intrusion along the bedding plane of the underlying sedimentary layer, and the subsequent formation of columnar joints was accompanied by the cooling and contraction of intruding rhyolite magma. This study potentially provides a basic research tool in understanding the formation mechanism of columnar joints which are widely distributed in southern Korea.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.180-193
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• 2022

The East Nine Royal Tombs is a representative place in the Royal Tombs of Joseon (a World Heritage Site). It consists of 1,289 stone artifacts including 979 related stone structures, 310 stone statues, and objects. Most of the stone structures in the East Nine Royal Tombs are composed of biotite granite, but some tombs are composed of light red granite. As a result of magnetic susceptibility measurement, the average data from Geonwolleung to Mongneung, excluding Hyeolleung, were similar, so it is estimated that stones were obtained from the same quarry. In the case of Sungneung, Sureung, and Gyeongneung, the range of susceptibility measurement is widely distributed. It assumed that the newly produced stones were mixed in the moving and construction process. Also, stones might be gathered from different quarries. As a result of a conservation status investigation, both the mound member and the ridge stone had the highest damage rate due to peeling and granular decomposition according to surface weathering. In the case of surface discoloration, yellowing and soils were found in the burial mound members. Yellowing, blackening, and soil were identified in the ridge stone structures. Bio-degradation is the major factor of deterioration of the East Nine Royal Tombs and the conservation status of the tombs were detected as grades 4 to 5. It seems that it is easy for the environment of the royal tombs to form soil for the microorganisms and fine conditions for continuous moisture. In the case of structures, they are in relatively good condition. As a result of a comprehensive damage rating for each tomb, the overall condition is good, but the Geonwolleung Royal Tomb and Hyeolleung Tomb, which were created in the early period, had relatively high weathering ratings. Stone objects in East Nine Royal Tombs have lost many pieces and gateway members due to surface deterioration. Also, secondary damage is ongoing. Each damage factor of the stone artifacts of the East Nine Royal Tombs combines to cause various and continuous damages. Therefore, it is necessary to establish regular conservation status data of the stone artifacts for efficient management after processing as well as conservation treatment of the royal tombs, and specific management manuals and systems. This study investigated the conservation status of stone structures in the East Nine Royal Tombs, a World Heritage Site, and systematically classified them to provide priority and necessity for conservation processing. We look forward to establishing a plan for the conservation and management of the East Nine Royal Tombs with this database in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.647-659
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• 2023

This study is to analyze the lithological similarities between railing stones of Gwanghwamun Woldae and stone blocks stored in Donggureung Royal Tombs, Guri, to interpret the provenance of the stones, and to suggest the most suitable quarry for a new stones supply among the rocks in the Seoul-Pocheon area in order to select stones for the restoration of the Gwanghwamun Woldae. The railing stones in Donggureung are medium to coarse-grained pink biotite granite, and their lithological characteristics, magnetic susceptibility(Average 5.20 ×10^-3 SI unit), and gamma spectrometer data(K 5.00~6.38%, U 4.92~8.56 ppm, Th 27.60~36.44 ppm) show similarities with the remaining railing stones in Gwanghwamun Woldae(Average 5.38). Therefore, the railing stones in Donggureung can be reused for the restoration of Gwanghwamun Woldae. They have similar lithological and geochemical charateristics to the pink biotite granite found the Suraksan Mt. and Buramsan Mr. areas in Seoul, suggesting that these areas are the source of the stone. However, since the Suraksan Mt. and Buramsan Mt. areas are currently unavailable for quarrying, lithological and geochemical analyses on granite from the Yangju and Pocheon areas are conducted to determine the suitability of the new stone for restoration. As a result, a pink biotite granite similar to the Woldae stones was identified in the Pocheon area, and it is suggested that the stones similar in grain size and colour to the railing stones of Gwanghwamun Woldae should be selected and used for the restoration of Gwanghwamun Woldae.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

The rock-carved seated Buddha of Unju temple of Hwasun, Jeonnam, the only Triad Buddha among the stone Buddhas of Unju temple, is currently designated as a tangible cultural property No. 275 of Jeollanam-do. The rock of the seated Triad Buddha bedrock is light-green andesitic tuff breccia that is composed of quartz and feldspar. The results of measurement of the whole rock magnetic susceptibility characteristics, the rock consists of a single sedimentary layer from top to bottom. The results of ultrasonic velocity measurement, show that the number of frequency of 1500~2000 m/s increased and the number of frequency of 2000~2500 m/s decreased in 2009 compared to 2015, and the measurement value for 2000 m/s or below was 87.5% in 2015, a 68.8% increase in comparison to that in 2009. Moreover, on the top, bottom, left side, and head areas of the Triad Buddha, a partial expanding tendency was observed in the range of low ultrasonic velocity. As weathering of the Triad Buddha occurs in the long term, on-going monitoring is required to ascertain the degree of change with time.