• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.15
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• pp.4-25
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• 2014

Chuncheon National Museum currently own a bronze Buddhist gong that was discovered in 1987 at the Sudasa Temple site of in Suhangri, Pyeongchang. Significantly, showing many casting defects and areas where was repaired, the Gong offered crucial information about the casting technique. To better understand the production technique, scientific analysis was conducted on various aspects of the gong, including its materials, moulds, chaplets, and defects. Composition analysis revealed that the gong was composed primarily of copper ^71.6wt%, tin ^18.2wt%, and lead ^7.2wt%, along with about 1wt% of both arsenic and antimony. The lead content of the chaplets was higher than that of the gong, and the lead content was the highest in the solder, which was used to fill holes after casting. Surface analysis, based on the parting line, indicated that the gong was most likely produced with the sand casting process. Radiography and close examination of the surface disclosed various casting defects ^{e.g., Cold Shut, Surface Folds, Misrun, and Blowholes Adjacent to Chaplets} and their possible causes. The casting defects of a few holes were filled with soft solder.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.22-36
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• 2024

In 1993, a large number of relics was found in Cheongju Sanesa Buddhist Temple. They show superiority as bronze-based products, and are especially important in since they provide much information about the time of their creation. However, there are many opinions about the time they were hoarded: in the middle of the 13^th century, late in the 13^th century, early in the 14^th century, etc. This study estimates the time they were hoarded to be some time in April 1291 during the invasion of Kădīn (哈丹) in the Yuan Dynasty. Kădīn's troops invaded the Goryeo Dynasty, then went through Yangpyeong and Wonju in January 1291 and appeared in Yeongi-hyeon on May 1 of that year. Based on records, this study verified that the troops passed through Cheongju on their way from Chungju to Yeongi-hyeon (currently Sejong-si) and pointed out that the invasion route of the troops was the background for the hoarding of Sanesa relics. The estimation that the Sanesa relics were hoarded in 1291 when Kădīn's invasion was going on makes it possible to reasonably clear up the era of the relics in which the Heavenly Stems called gānzhī (干支) Muo (戊午), Gyeongshin (庚申), Giyu(己酉) etc. were written. That is, Giyu Geumgo is presumed to be the year 1249, Muo Hyangro 1258, Gyeongshin Hyangwan 1260, etc.