Abstract:The chemical compositions of bodies and glazes of some ceramic shreds from the three famous white porcelain kiln sites-Ding, Xing and Gongyi were analyzed by using ED-XRF in order to compare the recipes and technologies used in their manufacture.The results indicate that the primary material used for construction of the bodies is a high firing kaolinitic clay, the main clay type used for making white porcelain in ancient times in Northern China. Feldspar was used as a flux in the bodies of Xing ware of the Sui Dynasty, thus the Xing kilns invented ‘transmitting porcelain’ by including these feldspathic materials in the recipes for making the bodies. After the Sui Dynasty, feldspar was replaced by a kind of calcareous material. Calcareous materials were also the main flux used in the bodies of Ding wares. The main type of flux added to the body clay of Gongyi ware was feldspar. The most important flux in the glazes of all three of these wares is CaO, which was obtained from wood ash or limestone. However, the glazes of Xing and Ding wares are much lower in CaO, compared with Gongyi wares. The comparative results suggest that the manufacturing technologies of these three famous kilns interacted with each other. Specifically, they show that the recipes used for bodies and glazes in early stage Ding wares were similar to those of Xing wares, which indicate that the Ding potters might have learned much from the Xing potters.

Abstract:The water gate is an important component of the structure of ancient city walls, and it is very critical to research on the layout and evolution of ancient city walls. In order to create a scientific plan for conservation of the water gate relics at Taizhou, an on-site survey was first done to analyze the state of deterioration. Visible problems were discovered, including damage to the wall, foundation, arch and timber piles. Then the structural performance was assessed by finite element modeling (FEM) analysis. Potential problems with the foundation and wall were found. Finally, a plan of repair was proposed for the water gate, including strengthening of the foundation and wall and preservation of the timber piles, based on the results of damage investigation and theoretical analysis.

Abstract:For studying of bronze culture and making technique of related artifacts in western Yunnan Province, 17 samples excavated from stone coffin tombs in Xiangyun county, Yunan province were analysed by SEM and metallographic analysis. The experimental results show that the most of artifacts are copper, only a small number of those are alloy of Cu-Sn. The making technique of these artifacts is relatively simple, mainly casting and cold working after casting, etc. Three chimes are alloy of Cu-Sn and components of tin with geometric increase which related to require of the acoustic effect. The spears buried in the tombs can be divided into two categories, utility wares and funerary objects by the identity of the owner of the tombs. The spades, awls and chisels are inferred as utility wares which have used traces and been processed by cold working. The bronze hoes, one kind of farm tools, were only used as funerary objects instead of utility wares which is the evidence of local funeral customs in western Yunnan Province. Analysis shows that the making technique of those bronze and copper wares depends on the application of those objects. This paper has a certain significance of studying bronze culture and metal technique in western Yunnan Province.

Abstract:In order to understand the properties of the materials and smelting techniques used, Han Dynasty smelting relics from Yushujie, Jinan, were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and dilatometery (DIL) were used to analyze some objects excavated from the site. From this analysis, it can be deduced that the Yushujie site was an iron workshop capable of both smelting and casting during the Han Dynasty. By analysis of the smelting artifacts left, including clay molds, fire-resistant bricks, iron slag and mineral ore materials, it can be concluded that the selection of ore and ore manufacturing, melting and casting techniques had already been very well-developed at that time, and is indicative of the level of iron smelting technology during the Han Dynasty.

Abstract:In order to understand the relationship between the composition of leather and its tanning technology, an investigation and classification of leather artifacts collected in museums within Inner Mongolia was carried out. Investigation by modern analytical technology, including scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was applied to further analyze the relationship between leather composition and leather''s physical and chemical properties. The results show that the composition of the leather artifacts correlates with the tanning technology. The leather tanned by old methods has more CCl₄ extractable but less ash than the leather tanned by modern methods, while the leather tanned by modern technology contains chromium, which is characteristic of modern tanning methods. Both old and new samples have NaCl, which was used as a preservative.

Abstract:Due to long term natural weathering and human activities, the Avalokitesvara sculpture is suffering from powdering and cracking. Because of this deterioration, the stone carving has density differences in various places. Material changes due to clay mosaics, patching and stone thickness changes all affect the absorption of extent of X-rays. When the X-rays penetrate the stone carving , images were recorded by placing a film on the other side. The image was then scanned to see significant differences in the gray images. From these images, the damage to the stone carvings under the gold foil covering it and their states of conservation could be obtained. In this study, X-ray radiography was used to survey the conditions of Avalokitesvara sculpture for more than a month. The results show that the Avalokitesvara sculpture has different degrees of weathering and fracturing under the gold foil. The underlying muddy patches made in the past and the conservation conditions were all revealed. This X-ray investigation supplements traditional methods of surveying conditions. The application of portable X-ray Radiography to survey the condition of the Avalokitesvara sculpture demonstrates the the utility of this method and also provides valuable information regarding the restoration history of the Avalokitesvara sculpture.

Abstract:Binding thread is an important component in bamboo strip relics. Because of its unstable properties, when unearthed, the thread is usually heavily degraded, or even missed, and is thus neglected by most researchers. Up to now no related scientific analysis on this topic can be found in the literatures. However, some fragments of binding threads can be found in the West Han Dynasty and Qin Dynasty bamboo strips collected by Peking University. In order to characterize the material and the degree of deterioration of these objects and to provide reference for future research on and conservation of bamboo strips, a variety of techniques such as microscopic analysis of morphology, polarized light microscopy and histochemistry were employed to identify the species and chemical compositions. The results show that the two batches of binding threads studied are both made of ramie. The cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectin components are almost completely degraded. The lignin and fat/wax are retained, but the aldehyde functional groups in the lignin had changed. Several parasitic ova were found in Qin binding thread. These presumably belong to Clonorchis sinensis, in accordance with the epidemiology archives and burial customs in such regions.

Abstract:Non-destructive techniques were used for colorimetric measurement of silk textiles dyed using traditional techniques. Features of traditional dyed textiles were quantitatively analyzed using RGB, XYZ , Lab and LCh color space parameters. The coloring paramets of the dyed textiles were analyzed by looking at the distribution range and pattern. The effect of dyeing technique on these parameters was also analyzed. The R-G and X-Y parameters have a linear correlation, while C-L parameters have an approximate linear correlation. The distribution of a-b and L-h parameters is within a certain range. Multiple dyeings decreased RGB and L values. Overdyeing had a color additive effect. The colorimetric result of mordant dyeing was mainly affected by dyeing material, not by the textiles. A simple dyeing model is established using the concept of ‘factor of brightness’ and ‘factor of color saturation’ to explain the approximately linear relationship between C-L, and the phenomena of decreasing of L with increasing of dyeing time. These results will especially benefit future research on color reproduction and color matching in the conservation of silk textiles.

Abstract:Analysis of organic residues is one of the emerging new research methods in international archaeometry, of which protein analysis is an important part. The proteomic method, which has become increasingly important internationally, has unique advantages in residue analysis. The Xiao-He graveyard in Lop Nur of Xinjiang province is dated back to 3500-4000 years old. Brown granular residues are always found in excavated grass baskets. First, infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze one brown granular residue in a grass basket from tomb number 13. This technique revealed a high protein content. Then the residue was extracted and analyzed using proteomic methods. Bovine casein, bovine immunoglobulin and bovine β-lactoglobulin were identified, which indicated the residues probably came from a milk product. It should be noted that this was the earliest evidence for a milk product in China and suggests that milk was an important component of ancestors'' diet in Xiao-He. This study also showed that the proteomic method has high sensitivity, requiring only small amount of samples, and that it can be used widely for the analysis of ancient residues.

Abstract:This research was conducted as part of the National Technology Support Project ‘Research on the cleaning of harmful surface residues in the stone grotto’, and is prepared as a draft of ‘Standard chemical cleaning procedures to clean surface pollution on immovable stone relics’. In order to get an extensive and in-depth understanding of the subject, the experiences with laboratory chemical cleaning and on-site chemical cleaning at Yungang grotto is discussed. International chemical cleaning technique requirements and processes were reviewed. Also included were preliminary field investigations, criteria for selection of cleaners, glue and attachment techniques, evaluation of results, laboratory research and on-site tests. Positive and negative factors related to the chemical cleaning of stone relics are discussed. This work, therefore, provides useful information for the development of standards for chemical cleaning of stone relics.