Abstract:During the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” period, 100 important sites were added to the “Great Site” protection list. This paper discusses the specific need to digitally conserve information about these important sites. The sites are classified into several categories, and each site is coded according to its geographical information. A standard is established for encoding geographical information about these important sites in order to construct a database to aid in monitoring them during their conservation.

Abstract:To protect the relics in the rescuing excavation and continue the infrastructural construction, the archaeological house foundation recovered in the Pingtou Site of Hequ County was successfully relocated and protected. Using the past experience for reference, more advanced techniques were utilized this time, and the damages to cutting blocks in moving were greatly minimized by the use of lifting jacks and rollers. Some details in the process are discussed here to provide more experience for protecting the same relics in the future.

Abstract:Angkor, a world cultural heritage site in Cambodia, has a very important role in architectural history. This is a very large, well-protected site and has great value in history, art and science. This paper describes studies of the architectural and structural forms of the Angkor Grottoes from the perspective of civil engineering. Based on on-site investigations, the main types of damage to the grottoes result from structural destruction and material destruction were determined. Different technologies, based on the type of destruction, should be used in conservation.

Abstract:Geological investigation revealed that one of the most serious geological threats to rock art in Helan Valley was unstable rocks. The unstable rocks surrounding the rock art in Helan Valley are classified as three types:falling, sliding and toppling, depending on their potential modes of movement. The physical properties of the rocks, such as mineral composition, density, porosity, water absorption ability and uniaxial compressive strength were obtained through laboratory experiments. In addition, the parameters of the rock mass strength and the controlling stractural planes(e.g., uniaxial tensile and compressive strength, deformation modulus, internal friction angle and cohesion) in the Helan Valley were estimated, respectively, by the Hoek-Brown criterion, the linking ratio method and the rock surface rebound values. The stability analysis was performed using different unstable models. The results indicated that some of the rocks are unstable and need to be reinforced.

Abstract:Evaluation of the deterioration of earthen sites is fundamental for the scientific protection, management and use of earthen sites; however no evaluation system has been established so far. Based on the analysis of specific earthen sites and using theories and methods of geological engineering and geotechnical engineering, the deterioration of the earthen site foundation and the earthen site itself were evaluated by sequential analysis. Deterioration of earthen sites can be evaluated based on measurements of geological destruction, stability and surface weathering. The relatively mature engineering approaches and theories for evaluating geological destruction and stability can be adopted. For surface weathering evaluation, the weathering erosion rate, the condition of the earthen site and the value of the site should be considered; the degree of weathering and the heritage site''s value should be introduced into the model as a weighting coefficient. Using “fuzzy” mathematical theory, a new method was developed for systematically evaluating surface weathering.

Abstract:Tower bricks deterioration due to climate influence accelerate ancient towers'' damage and decrease their life expectancy. Two representative ancient Chinese brick towers-Songyue Temple brick tower (about 1500 years old), and Fawang Temple brick tower (about 1200 years old) were selected as the subjects for a comparative study. In this study, it was found that they have common characteristics and similarities in geographic location, surrounding environment and climate, appearance and structure, the raw materials and brick manufacturing techniques etc. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was employed to analyze the material composition of the towers'' bricks; the mercury intrusion method was employed to test the brick porosity, brick pore size and pore distribution characteristics. The experimental results showed that an increment in porosity from 5th century to 8th century was the main index of ancient Chinese brick towers deterioration. About 30% of the porosity with small pore size in the 1000 nm diameter expanded to 0,0~0,0 nm. Therefore, to prevent small pore size (less than 1000 nm diameter) from expanding under the influence of the climate is the key of research to protect ancient Chinese pagoda towers. The appearance characters of ancient towers because of deterioration of brick materials are also described to preserve ancient Chinese towers made of bricks.

Abstract:The Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum collected 111 paper relics in 2009. In order to protect and repair these paper relics, five specimens were selected which having typical diseases, and tested on moisture content and fiber characteristics, as well as by polarizing light microscope and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), etc. Information on the state of preservation, the composition of raw materials, the process of production and the type of deterioration disease was got in these paper relics. This information provided a scientific basis for developing a plan of protection and repair. These studies revealed that the paper relics were mainly made of hemp, with kaolin, carbonate and talc added as main fillers, and that some paper had been treated with glue. Most fibers have broken to small fiber segments, so complete fibers were rarely seen. Many flocs were observed on the paper indicating a bad state of preservation.

Abstract:According to the ancient literature, adding talc into painting and calligraphy (P&C) mounting paste was adopted seasonally to help preserve the paste and to improve its performance. Some tests were done to exam the role of talc in paste. It was found that adding talc can affect the viscosity and acidity of the paste:within a certain concentration range, the viscosity and acidity of the paste increased, while out of this range, both viscosity and acidity of the paste decreased. This study also showed that adding talc has no effect of inhibiting mold. Further research is needed to determine the influence of talc and other additives on P&C mounting paste performance.

Abstract:Rust-cleaning and enhancement reagents were applied to mural and colored drawings with calcified soils. After the treatment, the properties of the mixed film were tested. The optical properties of the gelatin film and enhancement reagent film were tested and their refractive indexes were recorded. The thickness and grain diameter of soil rust layer were measured. The durability and flexibility of the gelatin and the enhancement reagent films applied to simulated mural paintings were also systematically compared. The results showed that the two films have about the same refractive indexes and that when the soil rust layer is less than 120 μm thick, the soil particles on the top 70 μm can be recovered using the reinforcement reagent without interference with the paint layer. The reagent helps to restore mural painting''s original appearance. Performance test of the painting was artificially aged. The data show good performance of the painting after aging.

Abstract:In this study, the blue dyes from a group of Chinese ancient silk samples, which include a Qing Dynasty fan cover, a blue Cotton-padded jacket and a Yuan Dynasty baina pillow top excavated at Gezidong were analyzed by Micro-Raman spectroscopy (Micro-Raman), thin layer chromatography (TLC), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that all the blue dyes were indigo, their composition being indigotin and indirubin. Because of the difference in manufacturing processes or degree of ageing, the ratios of indigotin and indirubin were different. Indigo samples were artificially aged by UVA light, at high temperature (50℃) and humidity (RH=85%), and the samples were tested before and after aging. After aging in ultraviolet light for 2 months, the relative content of indirubin decreased significantly. After aging at high temperature and humidity for 6 months, both indigotin and indirubin contents were reduced. At high temperatures the ratio of indigotin to indirubin was reduced, suggesting that indigotin was more sensitive to heat than indirubin. The blue plant dyes were effectively characterized using non-destructive and less invasive technologies. The mechanism of degradation of indigo dyes was proposed based on the aging test. This study is of importance for research on dyeing process research and color conservation.

Abstract:According to the mould diseases of culture properities, the mildewproof activity of three components of plant (Citral, Cinnamaldehyde and Citronellal) vaporized at room temperature were tested. The influence of these components on the color difference of paper and three pigments,the intensity and the folding endurance of paper were examined. The results showed that these components are all have good vapour mildewproof activity, but the impacts on materials are different.

Abstract:Moss, algae and mold were found growing on colored paintings in two tombs of the Southern Tang Dynasty, covering and corroding a large area of the original fine bright colored painting. The moss, algae and mold growing in these two Southern Tang tombs were gathered, isolated and purified. Based on colony morphology and microscopic examination, these moss, algae and mold specimens were tentatively identified. The results suggested that mold includes R. nigricans, A.candidus, P.echinulatum Raper and others; mosses are species of Totula and Trichostomum; algae are Lyngbya species. The study is valuable for planning anti-algae and anti-mold treatments and for in-site conservation of tomb paintings.

Abstract:Identification and prevention of bio-deterioration by microorganisms in archaeological site is a big challenge for most archaeologists and conservators. Until recently, information about microbial bio-deterioration and bio-degradation at in-site archaeological and cultural relics excavation site has been quite limited.A cemetery of Xizhou dynasty in Dahekou, Yicheng, Shanxi province was used as an example, to explore techniques for rapidly detecting and possibly preventing microbial bio-deterioration in archaeological sites. After microscope examination at the locale followed by molecular biological identification in the laboratory, the dominant members of the fungal community that pollute the soil at the archaeological excavation site were identified. Most of the fungal belonged to the genera Pseudeurotium, Alternaria, and Plectosphaerella, their clones occuping about 23%、21% and 18%, respectively, of the entire clone library. The high temperature, relative high humidity, and the low atmosphere exchange rate in the vertical tomb are the main environmental factors causing the massive microbial pollution in the site. This study provides practical information regarding the collection of degrading microorganisms at archaeological excavation sites, and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention of such microbial prevention in the future.

Abstract:In view of their particular damage to the marine archaeological wood, the iron sulfides in the shipwrecks Huaguang Reef I of the Southern Song Dynasty were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Inductively coupled plasma-Atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the samples contained a lot of Fe and S, which distributed throughout all the wood and even in the 4cm depth. And the two elements exist as oxidized iron, iron sulfides, sulfates, or other reduced sulfur. It was also showed that the main forms of iron sulfides were FeS and FeS₂, and part of iron sulfides had been oxidized to sulfates. Thus, much more attention sould been paid on the control of iron sulfides in the subsequent conservation process to prolong the time of heritage preservation.

Abstract:With the developing of Chinese museum informationization, the computer technology is deeply used in collectibles data management and informationization management. This is one of the strategy to the current museum information technology on how to implement the advanced networking information technology into the regular museum antique restoration, how to expand from the antique collectibles static database to a three layers B/S Structure''s antique restoration dynamic management system. This paper is focusing on using J2EE technology, with Microsoft SQL Server2005 as back database with systematic functionality model''s design and analysis to form the final museum antique restoration record management system accurately implement the intelligent and high efficient retrieving and providing remote visiting to the huge data information and picture information. These technologies have already been effectively used in Shanghai Museum''s regular bronze ware restoration management.

Abstract:In order to ensure the reinforcement of the Kuahuqiao canoe site, field test experiments were done, namely by applying modified water epoxy and ethylsilicate agent separately to small areas of concealed parts of the site. Results were evaluated by measurement of density, color change, pH value and strength of the treated parts. These experiments showed that the soil sample treated with the modified water epoxy showed excellent in reinforcement effects, resulting in higher density and shear strength without pH or color change.

Abstract:The main aim of this project was to investigate the relationship between funerary object numbers found in single tombs and the sex, the age of the deceased and the period of the tomb. Based on the actual situation, statistical analysis was carried out using different methods, such as the t-test, chi-squared test and between-subjects effects test. The results suggested that the total quantity of funerary objects is not related to the sex of the deceased, but to the owner''s age at death:those died in their prime had more objects. There are notable correlations between total quantity and the deceased person''s sex and age:female children had the most articles, followed by males in their prime. The young and children had the most in total, females in their prime had more stone objects, and males in their prime had more bone and tooth objects. The quantity of pottery, bone and tooth objects varied significantly with the tomb period was found also. During period II, there are more pottery, bone and tooth objects. The research results suggested that the larger quantity of funerary objects found in female children''s tomb could be explained assuming that females were valued higher in a matriarchal society. The reason females and males in their prime had different categories of funerary objects could possibly be interpreted on the basis of the division of labor among those ancestors who lived in Jiahu area. The higher quantities of pottery, bone and tooth objects found in period II tombs might be related to active hunting and gathering behavior during this period.

Abstract:In recent years, microbial molecular ecology has been widely applied in the field of conservation. This article reviews the domestic and international application of microbial ecology technology for conservation of cultural heritage objects, so as to effectively prevent microbiological damage to them. This review provides theoretical foundations for long-term conservation of cultural heritage objects.

Abstract:As a result of analyzing Tang Dynasty silk samites and restoring the weaving techniques that created them, the opening of Silk Road resulted in the exchange of the commodities, culture and technology between the east and the west that became more and more frequent during the Tang dynasty. The warp-faced compound weave (jin-silk) that was popular from Warring States period to Wei and Jin dynasties was gradually replaced by the weft-faced compound weave (wei-silk). The motifs of the silk were greatly affected by the Middle and Western Asia. Floral patterns combined with animals suggested a mixture of Chinese and western styles, which was called, historically, “Ling Yang Gong Yang”. Weaving technology developed from use of the multi-heddle loom to the drawloom in Tang dynasty. Introduction of the drawloom led to great progress in weaving efficiency and artistic expressiveness in textile motifs.

Abstract:Golden Age of the Rui State, Zhou Dynasty Treasures from Hancheng, Shaanxi Province was held in Shanghai Museum in May 2012, which displayed the archaeological achievements from excavations in West Zhou and East Zhou periods from Liangdai Village, Hancheng, Shaanxi. There was a bronze box among the excavations which was hollow, badly bronken, seriously distorted and corroded. Because of its artistic value and research value, the bronze box required restoration urgently. On the basis of its character and condition, the bronze box was restored with traditional restoration methods. The fragments were numbered, reconstructed and filled, following with decorating and retouching while necessary. A temporary frame was made and the restoration of the bronze box was completed in a short time. The result of the restoration turns out to be very pleasing, and the thoughts and restoration methods can be a good case study for similar objects.