Abstract:In order to understand the effect of metal ions on silk aging,silk samples were buried in a simulated environment.The effect of Fe and Cu on the aging process of silk textiles has been primarily investigated.Contacting and immersion were two methods used to age silk textiles in burial environments that simulate North and the South geographical burial environments. The morphology,structure and compositional changes of aged silk samples were recorded.The results indicate that metals Fe and Cu,as well as their insoluble corrosion products,including iron hydroxide gel do no harm to silk,but soluble Fe ions and Cu ions produced during the oxidation process can damage silk.The soluble Fe ions and Cu ions can greatly accelerate the aging of silk,resulting in cracks and breaking of the fiber and lowering the silk fiber strength.The results suggest that understanding the role of ions in the aging of silk can,in theory,aid in the cleaning of silk textiles.

Abstract:In order to estimate the degree of aging of Liao Dynasty silk,excavated from the Faku Yemaotai Tomb in Liaoning,sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was adopted to analyze the relative molecular weights of silk proteins.The results were compared with modern silk protein to explore the aging characteristics of the Liao Dynasty silk.The SDS-PAGE results showed that the Liao Dynasty silk protein had two peptide chains,65kD and 56kD.The 25kD light chain,which usually exists in silk protein,was not found.The protein structures of the Liao Dynasty silk show significant changes,indicating serious aging.Further analysis found that the two peptide chains of 65kD and 56kD were the fragmentation products of the silk protein heavy chain (390kD),while the disappearance of 25kD protein suggested that the peptide chains in the non-crystalline region had broken down,or had been degraded into smaller peptide chains.X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the non-crystalline region peptides degraded much faster than did the crystalline region peptides. Therefore,the degree of crystallization of Liao Dynasty silk,which has been buried for many years,is higher than that of modern silk.

Abstract:Peacock green,sprinkle blue and melon green glazed porcelains have not been investigated scientifically due to lack of real object samples.However,recent archeological excavations in the Jindezhen Ming Dynasty royal porcelain site have yielded a great number of related research materials.In order to gain a better understanding of the nature of peacock green，sprinkle blue and melon green glazed porcelains and to provide information for their future protection,the samples dated to Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty from the Jingdezhen royal porcelain site have been analyzed microscopically，and by LA-ICP-AES，EDXRF and SEM．The surface morphology,corrosion phenomenon,glaze composition and elementary distribution have been analyzed.A makeup layer between the porcelain glaze and body was found and its composition characteristics are reported. In addition, processing of these highly alkaline porcelains，features of their glazes and corrosion mechanism are discussed.

Abstract:Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to systematically analyze the chemical compositions of the body and glaze of the 53 pieces porcelains made in the Yue klin in the Shanglinhu area during the Tang Dynasty,Five Dynasties,and Northern and Southern Song Dynasties.The porcelain had a high content of SiO₂ but had a low content in Al₂O₃,a feature characteristic of Southern porcelain wares,and there are some inclusions in body and glaze.All Yue porcelain glazes had a high amount of calcium during those dynasties. From Tang to Southern Song,the chemical composition of the porcelain body did not change significantly,but there were differences between the Tang porcelain glaze,the transparent Northern Song porcelain glaze and the opaque Southern Song porcelain glaze.Although there were appearance modifications in some Southern Song porcelain,thechemical composition suggested that the unique production technology of Yue klin,which was significantly different from that in the Northern and the Southern Guan klins,had been maintained.The analysis also indicates that the EDXRF has the advantages of surface layer analysis,being non-destructive with a relatively short testing time and high accuracy.It is a good method for studying porcelains with thin glazes.

Abstract:Using quenching and activation methods,97 porcelain samples were dated during the Tang Dynasty,Five Dynasties, Song Dynasty,Yuan Dynasty,Ming Dynasty,Qing Dynasty,the Republic of China era and during current times.The results indicated that the activation method was more accurate for the dating of current and relatively young porcelains from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era.The results from the two methods were comparable for porcelains of the middle and early Qing Dynasty and late Ming Dynasty.For relatively old porcelains,such as those form the middle and early Ming Dynasty and before (Yuan Dynasty,Song Dynasty,Five Dynasties and Tang Dynasty),the quenching pre-dose method produced satisfactory results while the activation method failed.Therefore,it is crucial to date porcelains of different ages with thermoluminescence techniques.

Abstract:By use of proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE),x-ray diffraction (XRD) and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS),the chemical composition and mineralogic characteristics of the jade artifacts unearthed from Gaochengdun site in Jiangyin city have been studied.The raw materials used for making these jade artefacts and their resources are discussed based on the experimental results.These analyses shows that the main minerals of these 46 jade artifacts is 67.4% tremolite,and that they have good quality and may have been taken from deposits of the same mineralization type.The present study indicates that the non-destructive analytical techniques offer an effective new means for characterizing ancient jade artefacts.These research results provide a scientific means for tracing the sources of raw materials used for jade artefacts of the Lingzhu Culture.

Abstract:To determine the composition and origin of material used for jade wares of the Western Han Dynasty,microscopy,EMPA,infrared spectrum,Laser Raman spectroscopy and LA-ICP-MS were used to analyze the jade dress and the jade coffin excavated from the mausoleum of the Chu King in the Shizishan of Xuzhou.1)Microscopic research showed that all jade samples had graphite inclusions which meant they were not from Nanping,Fujian or Xiaomeiling,Liyang,Jiangsu,as jades from these sites have no graphite inclusions.2)EMPA suggested that all of the jade samples were tremolite,with values of ω(FeO)/% in the range,0.287 to 0.925.This means that the jade materials were not from Manasi,Hualian and Glumd.In addition,the values ofω(Al₂O₃)/% of the jade samples was much bigger than that of jade from Luanchuan,Henan.3)FTIR showed that all the jade samples were tremolite,which was consistent with the EMPA results.FTIR also showed that the jade samples had a high Mg content.4)Raman spectroscopy showed that the jade samples and tremolite shared the same characteristic Raman spectra and could be desogmated as termolite type soft jade.The EMPA and FTIR results are consistent with each other.5)LA-ICP-MS showed that the REE content of the jade samples and of the REE distribution are different from nephrite jade of Xiuyan,Liaoning and Wen chuan,Sichuan.The low Cr、Ni、Co contents indicate that the jade materials come from a magnesium-calcite nephrite deposit,and the low Sr content indicates that the jade materials are not from Xiaomeiling,Liyang,Jiangsu.Therefore,it can be deduced that the material of jade wares in the mausoleum of the Chu King may come from Hetian,Xinjiang,as nephrite jade materials had spread to the Chu culture area and had become the main source for court jade wares during early West Han Dynasty.

Abstract:To reveal the raw materials,technology and property difference of the Qing Dynasty glazed tiles from different regions,the chemical composition of the body and lead glaze of the glazed tiles from the Palace Museum,Beijing and Huangwa klin,Liaoning were analyzed by WDXRF and EDXRF.The thermal expansion coefficiency of the body and glaze was investigated by thermal expansion instrument and theoretical calculation.Based on the result, the correlation of the chemical contents of the body and lead glaze of the glazed tiles and its thermal expansion coefficiency was studied.The results showed that the glazed tiles from the two places have very similar glaze composition but their tile bodies are different.Qing Dynasty glazed tiles from the Palace Museum have Si-Al tile body,while those from the Huangwa klin belong to Si-Al-Mg group.Therefore,their thermal expansions have different correlation factors.

Abstract:The use of PS for anti-efflorescence treatment of large-scale earth sites during the past twenty years is summarized.PS treatment has been found to be an effective technique.The technique includes surface spraying infiltration and trickle infiltration.These two methods can be applied together or separately.Surface spraying infiltration involves spraying of a PS solution directly on the wall,which applies the solution to the thin weathered layer in the walls of adequate strength.Trickle infiltration is accomplished by drilling small holes in the wall and injecting the PS solution by means of a small rubber tube or syringe needle.This method is suitable for walls with thick weathered layers and low strength.After PS treatment,the enhanced wall changes color slightly.The color can be restored to get the original look.A number of previous examples and follow-up examinations have proved the technique to be effective and worthy of applying in other projects.

Abstract:In order to protect Longmen Grottoes and to control water seepage into Qianxi temple,the rock structure and water seepage channels need to be found.The rock structure was investigated by on-site investigation and physical exploration of the cave using physical detection methods.These studies revealed the potential rock mass structure of Qianxi temple Cave area and the seepage channels.This research helps not only to understand the mechanism of the water damage at Qianxi Temple,but also suggests ways to prevent water damage at Qianxi temple,and to investigate seepage problems in other similar caves.

Abstract:Bayesian classics,especially the collection of Sanskrit Bayeux manuscripts in the Tibet Museum,have high academic value and potential for international social science and South Asian cultural research.They are important historical,cultural and academic materials for the study of Sino-Indian cultural exchanges between the Indian Sanskrit culture and Chinese cultures,and the Indian Sanskrit cultures impact on traditional Tibetan and Chinese mainland culture.A layer of white power was found to cover the Bayeuxs script,which obscured the characters. Is it mildew or contamination? To better protect this precious cultural heritage,three-dimensional video microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer were used to analyze the “white powder” appearring in the Bayeux manuscript.Results show that the white powder is kaolin,which was added during the manufacturing process to prevent pages from sticking to each other.The same results were found on “Bhagavad Gita and its notation” and on Bayeux classic No.0738.The white power was found to be porcelain clay powder.The research provides scientific results for conservation of Bayeux classic manuscripts.

Abstract:Tiantishan Grottoes,also called the Northern Liang Grottoes,are the oldest Grottoes in China. According to records,the no.9 grotto was created during the Tang Dynasty and its polychrome statue and wall paintings were repainted several times in the following dynasties.To aid preservation and conservation of the polychrome statue and wall paintings,modern scientific techniques were used to analyze the polychrome statue and the wall clay.X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence were used to analyze the pigments,and polarized light microscopy was used to analyze the plant stems and other components mixed in the clay,in order to identify the materials.The analytical results indicate that the polychrome statue and the wall paintings have same clay compositions,consisting of quartz,feldspar (plaqioclase and a small amount of k-feldspar),mica (muscovite,chlorite,illite,clinochlore),calcite and a small amount of gypsum.The plant stems found in the clay are straw.The pigments used are Chinese ink as black;cinnabar,red Lead and iron oxide as red,azurite as blue and calcite with a small amount of gypsum as white.These results provide a basis for future restoration of the Tiantishan Grottoes.

Abstract:In conservation of immovable cultural heritage objects, the chemical materials used for protection play a vital role and influence or govern the implementation and development of related technologies.Progress in protection materials science described in the latest international and national literature were reviewed.Both organic materials and inorganic materials are covered.The potential problems and limitations of protection materials are summarized and the current trends described.Some research directions for the development of protective materials especially relevant to China are presented.