• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.417-425
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• 2012

Bronze Mirror with fine linear designs in the bronze age shows the greatest alloy and casting skills of the day and presents the highest level of handcrafting and molding techniques. Lately, Lost-wax casting and sand-mould casting were used for the restoration of the national treasures of No. 141 and No. 143 Bronze Mirror with fine linear designs. Also the Principle Component Analysis, Microstructure Analysis, X-ray and SEM-EDS analysis were carried out on the restored Bronze Mirror with fine linear designs. Bronze Mirror that is made of sand-mould casting, hardly has a eutectoid and it is observed as a ${\alpha}$ dendrite. In contrast, Bronze Mirror that is made of lost-wax casting, the eutectoid has found through the ${\alpha}$ dendrite. As we compare lost-wax casting to the sand-mould casting through an analysis of restored Bronze Mirror, mostly, sand-mould casting has better castability and it seems that it brings a clear and equal Bronze Mirror as it has a low cooling rate. In this way, we are able to confirm that there is a big difference between the method by lost-wax casting and by sand-mould casting through an analysis of microstructure and restored Bronze Mirror. If such research will be continued, it will be an opportunity that investigates diverse methods of production techniques.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.536-544
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• 2021

In the present study, safe management and value improvement of bamboo sunblind, which is an item of cultural heritage, were performed by adopting stable conservation treatment methods. The bamboo sunblind used in the present study was excavated from No. 1 catchment site in Baesanseongji, Busan. It was determined that the main material used to make the sunblind was bamboo, and herbal plants were used to weave the bamboo using lacquer as an adhesive agent. All contaminants and soil adhered to the sunblind was removed. Thereafter, the sunblind, which was recovered in the form of blocks, was washed separately after fixing it to a temporary plaster frame and to avoid the blocks from breaking during washing. Then, polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation was utilized for the reinforcement treatment. Based on the preliminary test results, the shape of the sunblind was fixed using a stainless-steel frame to prevent physical damage that may occur during the drying process. Thereafter, the bamboo sunblind was vacuum freeze-dried. PEG 20% (in ethyl alcohol) was applied as a surface treatment agent for stabilization the sunblind. After the surface treatment, the bamboo sunblind were joined together to fit the maximum width, and the rectangular shape of the sunblind was restored-as best as possible-while filling in the missing parts by maximizing the use of unknown members such as in the disturbed layers below bamboo sunblind surface. The conservation treatment was completed by fixing the bamboo sunblind into the fabricated frame.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.493-502
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• 2018

Currently, the fabrication of a high-tin bronze spoon by traditional manufacturing techniques involves 10 steps in the bronze ware workshop. Hot forging has a major influence on manufacturing and involves two to three steps. The dendritic ${\alpha}$-phase in the microstructure of the high-tin bronze spoon is refined and finely dispersed through hot forging. In addition, twinning is observed in the ${\alpha}$-phase of the hammered part, and the ${\alpha}$-phase microstructure gradually transform from a polygon to a circular shape due to hammering. In this process, the adjacent ${\alpha}$-phases overlap with each other and remain combined after quenching. The microstructure with the overlapping is also observed in bronze artifacts, and this shows the correlation with technical system. The results of the experimental hot forging of Cu-22%Sn alloys show that the decrease in in the amount of the dendritic microstructure, which forms during casting, is in proportion to the number of processing steps and that the refined grain obtained by hammering contributes to the improvement in the strength of the material. From the hammering marks, which are observed on both the bronze artifact excavated from archaeological sites and on the high-tin bronze spoon produced in the traditional workshop, it is presumed that the knowledge regarding the unrecorded manufacturing system of bronze ware in ancient times has been passed down in a traditional way up to the system used currently.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.232-244
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• 2021

This study examined the physical attributes and heat treatment characteristics of glass beads excavated from the Gimhae area, which is the location of Geumgwan Gaya. This enabled classification of surface characteristics of the beads based on the investigation of the color, size, and shape. The glass beads were classified into eight color systems, with purplish-blue beads as the representative color. Bead size was categorized into three types depending on the outer diameter and how it increased over time. Bead shapes were categorized as round, tubular, or doughnut-shaped based on the inner diameter and length, with round being the typical shape. According to the degree of heat treatment, there are three types of cross-section for glass beads that are manufactured by the drawing technique, most of which are the HT-III type. In addition, it is estimated that the heat treatment technology has more considerable effects than other methods. Through non-destructive analysis, the chemical composition was obtained and categorized as flux, stabilizer, and colorant. Analysis confirmed the presence of 63 and 9 pieces in the potash and soda glass groups, respectively. Overall findings from the study highlighted a correlation between the chemical composition and the external factors such as color, size, shape, and manufacturing technology of glass beads recovered from Geumgwan Gaya, revealing characteristics related to that time and region.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2022

This study conducted scientific analysis and preservation treatment for the local 7 relics (depurator bottle, eagle patten button, rank insignia, mess tin, M1 Grand-gun cleaning tool kit, Carbine bullet, cartridge) of the fallen of Korean War excavated through the MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification that are possessed in the exhibition hall of the Ground Operations Command. FT-IR analysis results show that remainder of depurator bottle is assumed to play a role of water and food purifier during the war for its spectrum similar to Trisodium phosphate, and inscription carved on the cartridge that is hard to observe with naked eyes was also confirmed through 3D digital shooting method. This study also established directivity of preservation treatment of relics for stable treatment by carrying out a survey of conditions based on the microscope and visual observation. The result is expected to be used as basic data for establishment of future directivity of preservation treatment for a variety of war relics.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.309-318
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• 2015

The staff given with chair to Yi Gyeong-seok, senior official over 70 years old by King Hyeonjong of Joseon Dynasty is representative handcraft of Joseon Dynasty. Results of analysis on the metallic decoration show that the metallic ornament of the end part which is connected to the spade was made by rolling of iron plate and brass plating. The plated part is limited to the ornament of the end part connected to the spade and the plating was not applied to the spade. Brass including 20% zinc was used for the connecting part of guard while brass gilded iron was used for the spade. This suggests that the tone of the connecting part of the guard and the spade was not different for reason of visual harmonization. Potential applied plating method can be amalgam, dippping in molten brass, and brushing but the analysis result suggests that dipping in molten brass method is the most likely accepted method. The brass guard of knife was joined by tin-lead solder. Rivet used to fix the blade was made by pure iron as an optimum material which satisfies flexibility and strength.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.19
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• pp.19-30
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• 2006

Alteration of physical and chemical characteristics and the effect of removal of mineral substances in waterlogged archaeological woods by different cleaning processes were examined using oak wood(Quercus spp.) that was excavated from wetland near Gwangju, Korea. Cleaning methods employed in the present work were (1) tools, (2) deaeration, (3) EDTA and (4) ultrasonic cleaning, which are being currently applied in the field of preservation treatment. Cleaning process were performed independently or continuously. Composition of mineral substances in the waterlogged archaeological wood was almost same as the that of soil in which waterlogged archaeological woods were buried. In case of independent cleaning, tools cleaning efficiently removed the mineral substances on surface. Surface color become brighter after cleaning with EDTA. In contrast, deaeration and ultrasonic cleaning did not show any significant removal of mineral substances. In continuous cleaning process, tool cleaning as the first step treatment showed the same effect as shown in independent cleaning. Although deaeration as the second step cleaning did not remove the mineral substances, it could be assumed to contribute the infiltration of dimensional agents by homogenization of wood. EDTA treatment (the third step cleaning) removed the iron(Fe) and increased the whiteness of wood color. The ultrasonic treatment (the fourth step cleaning) removed the sodium(Na) remained after EDTA treatment and the fine mineral substances.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.425-436
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• 2016

The Yakhyeon catholic church (Historic Site No. 252 in Korea) that was constructed in 1892 has been the first western brick structure to ever have existed and one of the most important historical materials in the Korean modern architecture. After a fire had broken out at the catholic church in 1998, the stained glass on the back wall, the slab glass (dalle de verre) introduced by Lee Nam Guy in 1974, was repaired in 1999 because of singe scorch and water leakage. An analysis of the coloration elements showed that yellow, red and green included Zn, K and Cd, respectively. The glass of red contained Se, dark green contained Mn and Cr, and blue contained Pb and S. According to material analysis, the masonry joint was identified dolomite ($CaMg(CO_3)_2$) and calcite ($CaCO_3$), which was observed plate, columnar, rhombic and square of crystalline particles. Meanwhile, ultrasonic velocity in the stained glass recorded low speed in the middle and lower right of the window (an average of 4,130 m/s). And the joint was measured the lowest physical properties of the top left and middle of the window (an average of 2,053 m/s). This study have showed that extensive physical damage was founded to the left and middle rather than the right side. In this respect, more research in needed to conserve the correlation between color and physical properties.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.18 s.18
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• pp.97-104
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• 2006

Absolute ages for three pieces of organic materials such as wood and shell were determined with radio-carbon concentrations and two potsherds with thermoluminescence measurements. Radiocarbon contents of each sample were compared with those of modern standard oxalate(NBS SRM4990C) and calculated radiocarbon ages of them. Quartz grains with diameter of $90\sim150{\mu}m$ were extracted from potsherds and used for measuring the archaeodose. Annual dose were calculated with measuring the alpha count rates and water contents and analysing $K_2O$ concentration of both potsherds and soils. Radiocarbon ages of organic materials were in the ranges of $4\sim2C$ BC and Quartz grain techniques for thermoluminescence dating showed 170 BC ud 210 BC respectively. It was found that the results of radiocarbon dating and TL dating were accorded with each other. But the deviations of TL dating have shown 13% and 20% respectively. It need to reduce the deviations.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2011

Buddha painting cultural properties couldn't avoid the change of colors and the exfoliation phenomenon by the characteristic of material and environmental factors. Especially, because in the beginning of the fine crack and the decoloration phenomenon on the surface of pigment would be significantly decrease stability of the whole object, it is necessary to take particular measure. Therefore, this is a study on conservation of Avalokitesvara in Potalaka in Hyeondeungsa in Gapyeong. It treated damaged parts of the object, carried out backing papers and matching colors. And then, it examined scientific analysis of pigments. Also, it performed nondestructive testing like XRF, FT-IR, and image microscope to investigate the quality of the material of hanji using the object and the component and characteristic of pigments. As a result, FT-IR spectrum matching Korean traditional paper(hanji) was detected in hanji of Avalokitesvara in Potalaka in Hyeondeungsa. The black pigment making a thin layer over the white pigment would estimate carbon compounds of unconfirmed ink stick or soot as XRF and FT-IR. Also, the white pigment was lead white($PbCO_3{\cdot}Pb(OH)_2$) involving Pb(Lead) and a carbonate. It was observed that the crystal of blue pigment had the different sizes of the particles from the microscope. In the case of this blue pigment, it showed cobalt blue and lead white was mixed when it used because both Cu and Pb were highly detected in XRF data.