• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.475-490
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to apply one of the geophysical methods, GPR to archaeology. Time slice of analysis method was used to interpret archaeological feature before excavation. Study areas are Pubcheonri burial mound group in Wonju, Songhakdong no. 1 tomb, Gosung in Kyungsangnamdo, and Yoshinogari 2 rows of jar-coffins burial in Saga Prefecture, Japan. We found a stone tomb, spreaded and piled stones from spoiled tombs of the Baekje Dynasty as archaeological features in Pubchonri, Wonju. Songhakdong no. 1 tomb in Gosung was the unique keyhole-shaped tomb in Kyungsangnamdo as we know. But we found that the tomb consists of 3 tombs and there are lots of stone tombs according to the GPR and excavation. From the GPR exploration and excavation, it turned out not be a keyhole-shape tomb. We also found jar-coffins burial in Yoshinogari, Japan. As a result GPR was very helpful to detect archaeological features and pattern before excavation in advance.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.154-201
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• 2016

During the Incipient and Early Silla phases, which witnessed the establishment and development of the ancient Silla state, the Wolseong North Burial Ground functioned as not only the central burial ground in the Gyeongju region of the capital of Silla but also as the central burial ground of the whole Silla state. Wolseong North Burial Ground is where transformations in Silla funerary architecture first occurred. As such, an empirical study of the tombs constructed at this burial ground can be regarded as a starting point from which an understanding of the development of the tomb culture of the Silla state may be achieved. This paper therefore aims to examine the changing nature of the tomb culture of the Early Silla phase through the burial data of Wolseong North Burial Ground and the Gyeongju region. Wooden chamber tombs were constructed from the late phase of Saroguk. At Wolseong North Burial Ground, which eventually developed into the central burial ground of the Gyeongju region, wooden chamber tombs embellished with stone packing emerged during the Incipient Silla phase; wooden chamber tombs with stone mounds, on the other hand, first appeared in the Early Silla phase and eventually became established as the central tomb type. A key difference between the wooden chamber tomb embellished with stone packing and the wooden chamber tomb with stone mound is that, in the case of the latter, stones were packed not only around sides of the wooden structure that acted as the burial chamber but also on top of this structure. The addition of a high earthen mound surrounded by protective ring of stones is another distinctive feature of the latter, presenting a contrast to the low mound of the former. During the Early Silla phase, two types of wooden chamber tombs with stone mounds were constructed at Wolseong North Burial Ground: those with burial chambers located above ground and those with subterranean burial chambers. Also constructed during this phase were the wooden chamber tomb embellished with packed stones, the wooden chamber tomb embellished with packed clay, simple earth cut burials, which had been used since the Incipient Silla phase, as well as the stone-lined burials with vertical entrance which first appeared in the Early Silla phase. However, of these different types of burials, it was only the wooden chamber tomb with stone mound that was covered with a 'high mound.' Differentiation between the different tomb types can also be observed in terms of location, type of burial chamber used, construction method, and tomb size. It is therefore possible to surmise that stratification between the different tomb types, which first emerged in the Incipient Silla phase, became intensified during the Early Silla phase.

• Bangmulgwan gwa yeongu (The National Museum of Korea Journal)
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• v.1
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• pp.18-35
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• 2024

The Tomb of Jang Mui was discovered and investigated during the Japanese colonial era. It has provided key archaeological material for identifying the Daebang Commandery mentioned in historical records as Sariwon in Hwanghae-do Province when some bricks used in the construction of the tomb were found to be stamped with the official title "Prefect of Daebang Commandery." The discovery of the Tomb of Jang Mui served to confirm that the brick chamber tombs found along the Daedonggang River in 1909 were related to the Nangnang Commandery. It can be viewed as a major archaeological breakthrough that settled a debate over the locations of the Daesu River and Daebang Commandery that had been ongoing since the early Joseon Dynasty. Despite its significance for archeology and ancient Korean history, the circumstances of the discovery and investigations of the Tomb of Jang Mui have not been thoroughly examined. Inscribed bricks and roof tiles unearthed during the excavation conducted by Sekino Tadashi in 1912 are currently housed at The University Museum of The University of Tokyo. A number of other bricks excavated from the Tomb of Jang Mui are in the collection of the National Museum of Korea. Main agents of the investigations into these materials have not all been identified. Only some records on the materials collected during the investigations by Nomori Gen and others specify the main investigators. Inscribed bricks from other related tombs are also found in the Tokyo National Museum and at several universities in Japan. It is hoped that a comprehensive report incorporating all these materials can be written. Based on a reinterpretation of its structure conducted by Jung In-seung in 2010, the Tomb of Jang Mui has been dated to 348. This means it was not built during the Daebang Commandery period. The most compelling archaeological evidence regarding the location of the Daebang Commandery and its local capital has been undermined. It is hoped that active discussions will be held on the issue of the Daebang Commandery and its local capital.

• Bangmulgwan gwa yeongu (The National Museum of Korea Journal)
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• v.1
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• pp.96-119
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• 2024

Some inscribed bricks excavated from the western region of North Korea have been found bearing an era name used after 314 when the Nangnang and Daebang Commanderies had been completely ousted from the region. Others have been found with an era name used in the early fifth century. This indicates that the tradition of constructing brick chamber tombs was sustained for a century after the disappearance of the two commanderies. However, brick chamber tombs were never adopted as a burial system for the ruling class of the Goguryeo Kingdom. The Tomb of Jang Mui built in 348 and the Tomb of Dongni built in 353 both departed from the typical brick chamber tomb style of the region, and elements associated with stone chamber tombs were added to them. The Tomb of Dongsu (Anak Tomb No. 3), which is similar to the other two tombs in that its occupant is of Chinese descent, was constructed in 357 not as a brick chamber tomb, but as an earthen mound tomb with a stone chamber. Still, the continuation of brick chamber tomb tradition in the next half century has been somewhat puzzling. Although dated inscribed bricks have served as important evidence for understanding the continuation of the brick chamber tomb tradition, there has been a problem of continually repeating previous studies. It has also been pointed out that there was an error in the interpretation of era names in some of the dated inscribed bricks that had been believed to have been produced in or after 357. For example, "second year of Taean" (Taian in Chinese), which had been understood to correspond to 386 (during the Former Qin Dynasty), in fact refers to 303 (during the reign of Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty). In the case of "first year of Geonsi" (Jianshi in Chinese), which had been believed to indicate 407 (during the Later Yan Dynasty), it actually refers to 301. "Geonsi" is the era name used during the period when Sima Yun ousted Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty and briefly occupied imperial throne. Outside these two cases, the remaining dated inscribed bricks thought to have been produced in or after 357 are those dated to the "third year of Wonheung" (Yuanxing in Chinese). However, a reexamination of these bricks reveals that what is really "Yeongheung" (Yongxing in Chinese) has been misread as "Wonheung." The third year of Yeongheung corresponds to either 306 during the Western Jin Dynasty or 352 during the Later Zhao Dynasty, but it is highly probable that it refers to 306. This means that there is no conclusive evidence to support the hypothesis that brick chamber tombs were built in the area until the late fourth century and even into the early fifth. Accordingly, the Tombs of Jang Mui and Dongni should be viewed as the latest known brick chamber tombs to be constructed in the western region of North Korea. Moreover, brick chamber tombs appear to have been no longer built in the area around the time when the Tomb of Dongsu was constructed. These speculations accord with the historical circumstances of the time.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.19
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• pp.43-56
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• 2006

We checked the conditions and material properties after producing the lime finishing layers with a mortar mix of processed lime. In addition, we reproduced the lime finishing layers of the Koguryo Tomb Murals, colored the layers with a few different techniques and identified the characteristics for each painting technique. As a result of the experiment, we could infer the producing techniques as well as teaming the conditions and properties of the lime finishing layers of the Koguryo tomb murals, and examined the maintenance of the lime finishing layers. Of those samples produced under various conditions, the layers of slaked lime, which were obtained after being hydrated underground for a long time, showed quite a good condition. Thus the slaked lime mixes produced through particular hydration methods are judged to increase the maintenance of the lime finishing layers of the Koguryo Tomb Murals. Mostly, the paints of Koguryo Tomb Murals indicated that they have similar conditions with the samples produced with a secco method. In addition, Considering the compositional forms of the painting layers and the boundary layers which formed between the painting layers and the finishing layers, we can verify that, in some cases, the conditions of the painting layers of the Koguryo tomb murals are similar to those which were produced with a combination of fresco and secco.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.22
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• pp.53-68
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• 2019

Two lime-soil mixture barrier tombs were excavated from the tomb complex of the Woo Family of the Danyang Wu clan dating to the Joseon dynasty in Godeung-dong, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Relevant records offer information for more precisely dating these tombs and identifying their occupants. Tomb No. 4, in which a married couple was interred, has a corbeled square ceiling and inscriptions and paintings on its outer walls. The conservation treatment and an infrared inspection revealed that they were intended to express mourning. Tomb No. 6 has a corbeled rectangular ceiling and a single individual interred within. As the basic structure of the tomb was partially damaged in the process of disassembling it while moving the burial site, it was planned to exhibit the tomb outdoors after the remains and relics are collected. However, as the conservation treatment revealed the presence of funeral fans and pitch, and since the remaining structure clearly demonstrates the features of lime-soil mixture barrier tombs from the Joseon dynasty, the plan was changed following a meeting of an advisory council that decided in favor of presenting the tomb indoors. According to the analysis, the pitch is assumed to be resin of a rather low purity due to the immixture of foreign substances. The two tombs are expected to serve as important materials for related research, such as changes by period in the forms of Joseon-era tombs.

• 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.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2018

The lime-soil mixture on barrier (LSMB) tomb is a representative type of tomb from the Joseon Dynasty. It is an important reference for understanding the society and funeral culture of that time. The LSMB excavated at the Gungri site were classified with manufacturing type. The ultrasonic velocity and rebound hardness method were used to estimate the physical properties of the LSMB. The strength values on the tomb of layered wall were different depend on measuring method. The compressive strengths of the tomb with layered wall, which is calculated by ultrasonic velocity and rebound hardness ranged from 4.0 to 355 (mean 43.6) $kgf/cm^2$ and 18.8 to 538 (mean 245.2) $kgf/cm^2$ ranges. The damage to the tomb with integrated wall during excavation and removal of the corpse could be a reason for the difference in results obtained using ultrasonic velocity method. Compressive strengths of tombs with integrated wall, which is calculated by ultrasonic velocity and rebound hardness ranged from 5.7 to 793 (mean 281.6) $kgf/cm^2$ and 4.5 to 550.5 (mean 172.4) $kgf/cm^2$ values. Physical properties on the tombs of integrated wall had different in compressive strength value but showed similar tendency. Thus, evaluation of the physical properties has shown that measuring ultrasonic velocity and rebound hardness methods are more effective in the LSMB with integrated walls. Further, the strength values obtained through the rebound hardness method are more constant than those obtained through the ultrasonic method due to the small detection area required by the former.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2018

This study revealed the material composition and characteristics of 19 glass fragments excavated from stone chamber No. 1 of Jeongchon Tomb in Naju through chemical composition analyses and observations. These characteristics were compared with the characteristics of the glass fragments excavated from No. 3 tomb of Bogam-ri in Naju. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of the ancient glass of the Mahan-Baekje period. The glass fragments excavated from the Jeongchon Tombs can be classified into purplish blue, light-purplish blue, greenish blue, green, and mixture of purple blue and purple, based on their color. These beads were made using a drawn and casting technique. In addition, blue glass fragments were primarily excavated form No. 3 tomb of Bogam-ri. However, red glass fragments were not excavated from either of the tombs. According to chemical composition analyses, soda glass group and potash glass group were common in both the tombs. Additionally, alkali mixed glass group and lead barium glass group were excavated from Jeongchon Tombs and No. 3 tomb of Bogam-ri, respectively. The glass fragments excavated from No. 3 tomb of Bogam-ri have more color variations than those excavated from Jeongchon Tombs.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.571-582
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• 2022

In this study, the raw material and tempers of bricks used in three brick tombs built in Gongju, during the Ungjin period of Baekje were investigated. The royal tomb of King Muryeong, the 6th tomb in the royal tombs, and Kyochonri brick tomb remained in Gongju and the bricks of each site had different shape and physical properties despite their similarity in raw materials. As the results of the mineralogical and microstructural analysis, the bricks of the royal tombs were made of refined raw materials, and were infrequently added crushed bricks(grogs) as a tempering material. On the other hand, thick and elongated pores of bricks from the Kyochonri brick tomb were frequently found, and the remains of plant carbonization are observed in their microstructures. Since the pores are mainly distributed in a thickness of 0.3 to 1 mm, it is estimated that bricks were produced by adding a certain size of the plant to refined soil, and grogs also were added as a tempering material. In particular, it was found that adding plants and grogs in raw materials of bricks caused thick pores or cracks in the internal structure. Since the bricks of the Kyochonri brick tomb have internal cracks and low firing temperature, the ultrasonic velocity of the bricks was lower than that of the royal tomb bricks. It means that the mechanical strength of these bricks were relatively low. Accordingly, it is estimated that the tempering materials, firing temperature, and internal structures of bricks can affect durability of the brick, and it can be thought as a difference in the manufacturing technology of brick making.