Study on the Characteristics of Materials and Manufacturing Techniques for the Mural Paintings in Daeunjeon at Ssanggyesa Temple, Jindo

This study identifies the structure and material characteristics of the mural paintings in Daeungjeon at Ssanggyesa temple in Jindo by conducting scientific research and analysis including microscope examination, SEM-EDS, XRD, particle size analysis, and others. According to the analyses, the murals were considered to be of a typical soil mural style for Korean Buddhist murals, given that the walls were made of sand and soil and the murals had layers consisting of wall layers and a finishing layer. However, some finishing layer used calcite, while some ground layer used zinc white beneath the thick paint. In addition, there were similar features to those found on the surfaces of oil paintings such as cracks along with the paint layer, high gloss on surfaces, and thick brush strokes in many areas. It was found that the walls on which the murals were painted were made of soil but that the paint layer was created based on the oil painting technique using drying oil. It determined that the murals were painted in a unique painting style that is rarely found in other typical Buddhist murals in Korea.

Measurement of Bangudae Rock Joint Using Non-adhesive, Non-contact Inclinometer Slope Laser Measuring System

Daegokcheon Stream in Daegok-ri, Ulju-gun, is an area with a developed valley and bedrock from Gajisan Provincial Park to the confluence of the Taehwa River across the Yangsan Fault. To measure the rock of Bangudae petroglyphs, the mineralogical weathering, joints, and scours or cavities at the bottom were confirmed. The measurement was carried out for a short period of time on the joint of the bedrock on which the Bangudae petroglyphs were engraved. Compared to the measured value obtained using existing optical fiber (Ch4 150 µm), a displacement value of 300 µm was obtained using the non-attached, non-contact type of measuring instrument. In the future, it is inferred that this instrument could be used for various cultural properties if the HSV-value suitable for illuminance and various measurement experiences are stored.

A Study on Digital Documentation of Precise Monitoring for Microscale Displacements within the Tomb of King Muryeong and the Royal Tombs in Gongju, Korea

The tomb complex of the royal family from the period of the Ungjin Baekje Kingdom (475 to 538 AD) in Gongju, Korea, contains the tomb of King Muryeong and other royal tombs. After the excavation of the tomb of King Muryeong in 1971, these tombs were opened up to the public, without the establishment of systems for their safety, conservation and management. The tombs have consequently experienced rapid environmental changes and suffered various damages. In this study, specific vulnerable parts inside the tombs were selected for deviation analysis using 3D scanning, and 3D image models were constructed on this basis. Progressive displacement was identified in tomb No. 5, and basic data for future investigations was acquired from tomb No. 6 and the tomb of King Muryeong. In the deviation analysis for the southern plastered wall of tomb No. 5, the damage was not found to exceed the ranges of ±18 mm and ±2 mm. However, the lintel stone was found to be sagging by 0.32 mm on average, and the distance between the walls to have increased by 0.36 mm on average. Direct water seepage occurring in tomb No. 5 is considered to be increasing the damage within the tomb, such as the dropping and sagging of the lintel. The 3D image models constructed in this study will play an important role as baseline data for future research, and can be used to discuss a secure conservation scheme for the tombs through cross-validation with precise measurement monitoring.

Comparative Study on Very Similar Jeungdoga Scripts through Image Analysis - Fundamental Difference between Treasure No. 758-1 and Treasure No. 758-2 -

Photographic images of the Samseong-version (三省本: Korea’s Treasure No. 758-1) and the Gongin-version (空印本: Korea’s Treasure No. 758-2) of Nammyeongcheon Hwasangsong Jeungdoga (南明泉和尙頌證道歌: Nanmingquan Song Zhengdaoge) were compared and analyzed to investigate the differences between the two versions. According to a report in 2012 at the time of the designation of the Gongin-version as Korea’s treasure, both versions were printed from the same woodblocks. The Gongin-version is presumed to be a later print than the Samseong-version. The two versions are very similar in format and shape of border lines and characters. It is difficult to determine the differences with the naked eye, even for experts. In this study, based on the printing characteristics observed from each version through image analysis, useful evidence to determine whether it was printed using the same or different woodblocks and the order of printing was collected. As a result of careful image comparison and analysis, we concluded that the Samseong- and the Gongin-version were printed from different woodblocks, or possibly different typesetting. It was difficult to agree with the content of the report that the Gongin-version was a later print than the Samseong-version. In addition, it was noted that the Gongin-version print has characteristics quite different from the typical characteristics of woodblock printing seen in the Samseong-version. Additional investigations and follow-up studies on the printing technology used for Gongin-version print and the timing of printing are recommended.

Organic Residues Analysis of Oil Bottle of Goryeo Dynasty Excavated from the Soejeoul Site, Geumneung-dong, Chungju

Organic residues are substances derived from diverse natural sources. Recent scientific analysis of organic residues has yielded important information in restoring the lifestyles of ancient peoples. In this study, the organic material contained within the celadon oil bottle of the Goryeo dynasty, excavated from the Soejoul site in Geumneung-dong, Chungju, was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results showed that the organic materials in the bottle were plant-derived oils. In particular, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols were detected using GC-MS analysis. Sesamin components were also identified. Sesamin, which is a characteristic component of sesame seeds, is a lignan and an antioxidant. As the organic residues in the oil bottle were derived from sesame seeds, it is presumed that sesame oil was stored in the bottle.

Interpretation of Construction Procedure and Physicochemical Characteristics for Soil Layers from Sowangneung (Small Royal Tomb) of Ssangneung (Twin Tombs) in Iksan, Korea

The Iksan Ssangneung (twin tombs), a pair of tombs comprising the Daewangneung (large royal tomb) and the Sowangneung (small royal tomb), were constructed in the typical style of stone tunnel and chamber tombs in the Baekje Kingdom during the Sabi period (538 to 660 AD) of ancient Korea. Soil layers exposed during excavation of Sowangneung in a trench east of the tomb are: the bottommost layer, the ground level layer, the Panchuk (rammed earth) layer of the Baekje, the layer created by a grave robbery, and soil recovered during the Japanese colonial period. Soil samples were obtained by segmenting an easy stratigraphic horizon into sub categorized soil layers, and their material properties were analyzed; they are composed mainly of sandy loam based on the particle size distributions. In the site foundation, loamy sand is packed in the bottommost layer, and sandy loam with high sand and silty sand fills most of the overlying layer. The central and topmost portion of the Baekje layer is composed of loam with high clay content. All soil layers show geochemical behaviors similar to those of the bottommost layer. X-ray diffraction analysis verified kaolinite in all layers, also observed in soil layers displaying high crystallinity. Kaolinite and halloysite were identified by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we conclude that the Baekje layer of the Sowangneung is composed of sandy loam containing kaolin procured from near the site. An impermeable middle to upper layer was created using viscous loam. The top of the tomb was closed tightly.

Study on the Evaluation of Thermal Damage According to the Manufacturing Conditions of Korean Paper

In this study, we aimed to analyze the chemical changes that occur in Korean paper in an accelerated deterioration environment of 105℃. We selected the Korean paper produced with different types of cooking agents (plant lye, Na2CO3) and during different manufacturing seasons (winter, summer). The degree of deterioration of the Korean paper was confirmed by measuring the brightness, yellowness, and pH level, and the degree of change in each vibrational region of cellulose as deterioration progressed through infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The FT-IR analysis showed that, as deterioration progressed, the absorbance of the amorphous region in cellulose decreased, whereas the absorbance of the crystalline region slightly increased. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Raman spectroscopy were performed to verify the changes in the crystalline and amorphous regions in cellulose indicated by the FT-IR results. Furthermore, the crystallinity index (CI) was calculated; it showed a slight increase after deterioration; therefore, CI was confirmed to follow the same trend as that observed for absorbance in the FT-IR results. In addition, as a result of Raman spectroscopic analysis, the degree of decomposition of the amorphous region in the cellulose under the manufacturing conditions was confirmed by the fluorescence measured after the deterioration.

Study on the Material and Deterioration Characteristics of the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha in Bijung-ri, Cheongju, Korea

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.

Evaluation of Applicability to Metofluthrin-based Termiticide for the Traditional Wooden Buildings

In this study, we investigated the applicability of a termiticide based on metofluthrin for termite control on traditional wooden buildings. To evaluate their mortality, termites were exposed to the agent, diluted to various concentrations, for seven days; it was found that it had a sufficient insecticidal effect although there was a difference depending on the degree of agent dilution. Next, the effect on Dancheong, used in traditional wooden structures, was measured based on the color change according to the number of agent treatments. The results showed that only the color difference value of two pigments (i.e., Bun and Juhong) was measured as 3.0 or higher. However, there this varied according to the dilution ratio. Thus, it was found that most pigments had little effect on the color of Dancheong. Finally, the termiticidal efficacy of the agent when applied to wood was evaluated. We found that the specimens coated with 10-fold and 20-fold dilutions exhibited 2.83 and 6.28% mass loss, respectively. The 10-fold dilution satisfied the performance of termiticide as a mass loss of less than 3%. In conclusion, the metofluthrin-based agent used in this study has little effect on various Dancheong pigments and has a termiticidal effect against termites; it is therefore suggested that it may be used in preserving traditional wooden cultural properties in Korea.

A Study on the Metallurgical Characteristic of Hammer Scale Produced through Traditional Iron-making Experiments

This study attempted to investigate the metallurgical characteristic through material scientific analysis of hammer scale produced as a direct smelting method restoration experiment for each raw material of iron. To this end, four hammer scale groups were set up, respectively, by experimenting with Gyeongju-Gampo Iron sand and Yangyang Iron ore. For the analysis, principal component analysis, compound analysis, microstructure observation, and chemical composition were confirmed. As a result of principal component analysis, as forging and refining progressed, the content of Fe increased and the content of non-metallic objects decreased. As a result of compound analysis, iron oxide-based compounds were identified. As a result of confirming microstructure and chemical composition, Wüstite and Fayalite were observed overall, and agglomerated Wüstite were observed in some. Magnetite on shape of polygon and pillar was observed. In addition, it was confirmed that internal defects, impurities, and non-metallic interventions gradually decreased. In the future, it is necessary to investigate the metallurgical characteristic through material scientific analysis of hammer scale produced through restoration experiments using various raw material of iron, and compare them with those excavated from Iron manufacture ruins.