• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.581-593
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• 2018

Studies on ancient iron production technologies still have challenges to overcome, although there have been many results that have enabled us to understand these old technologies. The purpose of this study is to propose a suitable temperature condition for smelting experiments. The target for reconstruction is a smelting-smithing process in the ancient Jungwon area, and the experiment was designed on the basis of published research, such as archaeological evidence. Experiment A was performed at a low temperature to produce low-carbon iron, while Experiment B was conducted at a relatively high temperature to synthesize high-carbon iron. In addition, the low-carbon iron proved to be suitable for the smithing process. Moreover, aspects such as the microstructure and chemical composition of the slag and the surface condition of the furnace wall showed that the low-temperature smelting process was closer to the ancient method. It is important to mention the premise that the reconstruction of ancient technology can be achieved when the results of an experiment replicate the conditions of a real site. The results show that direct smelting, which produces low-carbon iron bloom under a low-temperature condition, should be the subject of smelting experiments concerning the iron production technologies of the ancient Jungwon area.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2019

This study intends to identify manufacturing techniques, including casting and alloy composition, of nine metal Buddha statues excavated from archaeological sites in Bagan, Myanmar. Two Buddha statues from Pyu city state(2^nd to 9^th century) contain Cu-Sn alloy(including <1 wt% Fe), with different relatively high percentages of Sn(16 wt% and 25 wt%) identified from each Buddha statue, and no Pb detected. Five Buddha statues from the Bagan dynasty contain various alloy ratios of Cu-Sn(including <1 wt% Pb), Cu-Sn-Pb, and Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb. All Buddha statues appear to be fabricated by casting, as there is no evidence of other heat treatments. The silver Buddha statue manufactured in the 18^th century includes >1% Cu besides silver with no additional metallic components identified. The bronze Buddha statue manufactured in the Konbaung dynasty(18^th century) is of Cu-Sn-Pb alloy. The Buddha statues of Pyu was alloy of Cu-Sn without Pb including ahigh percentage of The Buddha statues of both the Bagan and Konbaung dynasties are comprised of ternary Cu-Sn-Pb alloys, with a heterogeneous distribution of lead and tin. Some of Buddha statues of the Bagan dynasty have similar alloy ratios as those of Pyu, suggesting that similar manufacturing techniques were used.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.32
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• pp.171-183
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• 2011

In this study molecular genetic analysis was carried out on 4 human skeletal remains from Osuri, Buyeo. We showed that real-time PCR is the method of the choice to assess the initial number of genuine ancient DNA molecules. Human mitochondrial DNA quantification was accomplished by the real-time PCR for the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondria. Histological results proved to be a good potentiality for biochemical analysis using biomolecule. The level of specimen's preservation state was proved that level of quantitative result was BO-04, BO-01, BO-03, BO-02. Continually, we showed that biochemical and biomolecule results for the level of preservation state were similar. This study will be useful to important material for predicting biochemistry and biology analysis of the ancient bone.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.519-532
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• 2020

This study aimed to interpret the coloring materials recorded in the ceremonial writing with the scientific investigation results of the Hanging Painting of the Chiljangsa Temple (Five Buddhas). The results confirm that the Jinboon, Joohong, Hwangdan, Hwanggeum and Seokjahwang are clearly connected to lead white, cinnabar, minium, gold, and orpiment, respectively. Danghayeop and samrok are related to Copper trihydroxychloride, while Daecheong and Joongcheong are azurite, and they seems to be classified by the particle size. Yeonji and Chunghwa are organic dyes in red and blue, respectively, with blue confirming the existence of the side, but Yeonji differs from the names of the ancient texts and Chinese characters; it is unclear whether it is a commonly used Yeonji because of differences in the names of the ancient texts. The presence of Sootohwang has not been confirmed in the gwaebultaeng, but it can be extracted from the soil as a yellow-colored material but the possibility of Deunghwang cannot be ruled out.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.02a
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.85-89
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• 2002

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.521-534
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• 2016

Ancient tombs are typically comprised of confined rooms, which have different spatial characteristics than the external environment because they are covered by heavy layers of soil. In this study, we examined the thermal energy flow from the outside to inside of Songsan-ri tomb No. 6. External heat flows slowly to the inside because of heavy soil layer, and the presence of several rooms and entrances. For this reason, it takes about two months for the air temperature to travel from the outside to the inside of the tomb. Interestingly, the gradational inflow of thermal energy from outside the tomb leads to delicate horizontal and vertical variations in the wall temperature. These micro-environmental differences occur in the inner tomb every year, so we can expect them to cause condensation with regularity. In addition, we show that the previously installed forced circulation air conditioning system risks fatal damage to the mural wall painting. The results of this research suggest an optimal air conditioning system and optimized space planning to conserve Songsan-ri tomb No. 6 and its mural painting.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.1619-1625
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• 2021

This paper demonstrates the possible nondestructive analysis of iron artifacts' metallurgical characteristics using neutron imaging. Ancient kingdoms of the Korean Peninsula used a direct smelting process for ore smelting and iron bloom production; however, the use of iron blooms was difficult because of their low strength and purity. For reinforcement, iron ingots were produced through refining and forge welding, which then underwent various processes to create different iron goods. To demonstrate the potential analysis using neutron imaging, while ensuring artifacts' safety, a sand iron ingot (SI-I) produced using ancient traditional iron making techniques and a sand iron knife (SI-K) made of SI-I were selected. SI-I was cut into 9 cm², whereas the entirety of SI-K was preserved for analysis. SI-I was found to have an average grain size of 3 ㎛, with observed α-Fe (ferrite) and pearlite with a body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice structure. SI-K had a grain size of 1-3 ㎛, α-Ferrite on its backside, and martensite with a body-centered tetragonal (BCT) structure on its blade. Results show that the sample's metallurgical characteristics can be identified through neutron imaging only, without losing any part of the valuable artifacts, indicating applicability to cultural artifacts requiring complete preservation.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.24
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• pp.131-152
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• 2003

In ancient times, many kinds of different inorganic pigments were used as colorants for making objects. These pigments are still evidentin well known objects such as Danchung, mural painting and Buddhist painting. This study discusses the results obtained from an analysis of the pigments used on the Buddha pigments. The results can be briefly summarized as below; Firstly, the microcrystalline structures revealed on the cross section of analyzed pigments, samples of which were taken from various parts of Buddha pigments show that different sizes and shapes of pigment particle were used for different purposes such as coloring, toning of the pigments. The arrangement of pigments and their usages are varied according to the owner temples and the place where it was created. Secondly, a result of the analysis on the composition and structure of the pigments shows that the main components in their composition are: Red pigments - Red lead($Pb_3O_4$) and Cinnabar(HgS)Green pigments - Malachite[$CuCO_3$.$Cu(OH)_2$] and Prussian Blue[$Fe4(Fe(CN)_6)_2$]Gold pigments - pure gold(Au)Yellow pigments - Orpiment($A_s2S_3)White pigments - Lead Cyanamide[$Pb_3(CO_3)_2(OH)_2]Ultramarine pigments - Azulite[$Cu_3(CO_3)_2(OH)_2]Especially, we knew that pigments used on the Ssanggye temple not repaired to the artificial synthetic pigment

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2021

This study analyzes six slags excavated from the iron making site in Gogi-ri, Namwon, Korea to understand the characteristics of the ruins, and to confirm the iron making process performed at the time. The chemical components of the iron making by-products from the Gogi-ri site were analyzed, and the findings indicate total Fe contents between 23.24% and 37.56%, which are lower than the typical total Fe content found in ancient iron making processes. The deoxidation agent contents of the slags ranged from 43.88% to 58.13%, which are higher than the typical deoxidation agent content of ancient iron making processes. The high content suggests smooth separation between iron and slags, and TiO₂ detected from the site suggests the use of materials with high titanium content in the iron making in the region. As for the microstructures of the slags, some slags have long pillar-shaped fayalites, while others have pillar-shaped wüstite along with ulvöspinel. Slags from the forging furnace show hammer scales created by both the earlier stages and later stages of forging work. The findings suggest that the iron making site in Gogi-ri, Namwon, Korea used to be an iron making facility where a full range of iron making process was carried out ranging from smelting to forging, and the ironmakers used a wide array of technologies to manufacture iron products.