Abstract:Ozone has strong oxidation and corrosion effect on cultural relics, especially on silver relics, in the museum environment. In this study the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was used for investigation of mass change of silver-electrodeposited quartz crystals at different ozone concentrations and at different relative humidies. The mechanism of silver corrosion by ozone was also investigated. The results showed that the concentration of ozone has a great influence on silver corrosion. With an increase in ozone concentration, the mass of the silver surface gradually increased and the extent of corrosion became aggravated. Silver is less sensitive to relative humidity. At different relative humidities, the mass change of the silver surface was similar. When exposed to ozone, silver initially reacts with atomic oxygen formed from ozone decomposition to form silver oxide (Ag₂O). As Ag₂O film grows thicker, a layer of silver peroxide (AgO) forms on the top of the oxide film. AgO is formed by reaction between Ag₂O and atomic oxygen.

Abstract:To preserve precious relics and to eliminate or slow down aging, it is necessary to monitor, evaluate and control the microclimatic in museums. Temperature and humidity are two of the most important factors. Temperature and humidity in museum environment need to be appropriate and stable. This paper discusses the methodology for longterm temperature and humidity evaluation in museum environments. Conventional evaluation methods are compared. To assess appropriateness, the temperature and humidity qualification percentage and distribution map of temperature and humidity were proposed. To assess stability, an index of variation of temperature and humidity was established. As an example, monitoring data of the temperature and humidity over a period of 8months in a museum exhibition hall were evaluated. It has been shown that these methods are effective.

Abstract:Along with the deeper understanding of the principles of preventive conservation, the study of museum environments has become a key area in conservation and science, both in China and abroad. This article focuses on the latest development of international museum environment studies. It describes in detail the research achievements in monitoring, analysis, evaluation and control of museum environments in China. It also proposes future directions for museum environment studies during China''s twelfth FiveYear Plan.

Abstract:The Zhidan Yuan sluice ruins dating from Yuan Dynasty is the best preserved and largest Chinese water construction heritage. It is well-structured and has exquisite workmanship. The wooden stakes, gates, and boards all need conservation. This article describes the preliminary work to conserve the wooden objects of the sluice ruins. The properties of water, soil and all kinds of wooden material, the status of the objects, and harmful organisms were analyzed. In the process of excavation, onsite sterilization was performed, and the excavated areas were backfilled to protect the gate and threshold. Onsite dehydration was also tested for wooden stakes.

Abstract:With the official excavation of the Fuquan Hill ruins in 2010, a large quantity of important archaeological ivory articles was found. Because of their long time of burial in earth,the organic components of the ivory have decomposed. In order to preserve these precious relics, the structure and composition of the excavated ivory were systemically studied using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy,Xray diffraction and Xray fluorescence. The results showed that the ivory contains carbonate hydroxyl apatite with poor cyrstalline. Due to salt erosion arising from the long term underground, many pores formed inside the ivory, with diameter ranging from 0.33 μm to 3.6μm. The main elemental components of the ivory are Ca and P. There are also many other elements, which likely arose from the burial environment and have caused the ivory framework to weaken. An acetone solution of B72is a commonly used consolidant, but it has drawbacks, such as too rapid evaporation and easy formation of white films on the surface of the treated objects. In this work, we mixed different proportions of the less toxic ethanol with acetone to prepare a B72solution. This method seemed to be more effective by decreasing solvent evaporation time and inducing B72to permeate more deeply into the ivory. The physical properties of the formed films from solvents of different ratios were also measured. The results showed that the formed films have similar hardness, light transmittance and intensity. Two excavated ivory scepters and one ivory scepter handle were dehydrated and strengthened by B72acetone/ethanol (1/1v/v) and showed good consolidation result and a good appearance. In order to to better reinforce other unearthed ivory articles, we also tested a solution of B72mixed with polyvinyl butyral (PVE), which has a wide molecular weight distribution and can penetrate into small internal pores of the ivory. The formed film had no obvious difference in light transmittance and intensity but had obviously improved film flexibility.

Abstract:Paper is an important material for recording cultural achievements. The evaluation of age, kind and status of degradation of paper forms the basis of its longterm conservation. Due to sampling restrictions in the analysis of cultural relics, nondestructive approaches are intensively sought for. This paper introduce the progress of research and developmental prospects of some nondestructive techniques used in deterioration studies, evaluation and identification of paper relics, including infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, acoustic emission,and Xray spectroscopy.

Abstract:Highfired ceramics is first produced in China. Beginning from proto-porcelains, colored glaze ceramics made from ironcontaining materials shows a continuous development in the whole history of Chinese ceramics, and new varieties of highfired iron glazes have been produced owing to the change of raw materials and the innovation of technology. So as to study the various coloring factors impacted on highfired iron glaze, the compositions of some typical iron glazes quantitatively were measured by using EDXRF and EPMA methods. The study showed that:the Fe₂O_3content of highfired iron glaze ranged from 1% to about 18%, and the content of iron played a decisive role in the glaze coloration. Meanwhile, the firing atmosphere of the kiln and the TiO_2content in the raw material would change the color of glaze by impacting on the generating of Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺. In addition, other factors such as the MnO content in raw materials or the glazing process would also affect the color of the glaze. The result of the research would help to explain the formation and development of manufacture technique of highfired iron glaze ceramics in China.

Abstract:In order to study the influence of EDXRF beam spot sizes on the analysis of the chemical composition and uniformity of celadon glazes, such as glazes of protoporcelains, Yue celadons and Longquan celadons, samples were tested with two different beam spot sizes2mm and 100μm in diameter. The results indicate that data from the 2mm beam spot size are stable and repeatable; in contrast, data from the 100μm beam spot vary dramatically, and other test methods are required to reduce error as a consequence. Our results show that glazes of proto-porcelains are non-uniform, potentially due to the lack of or imperfect elutriation crawling, cracking, and/or peelingoff. The glaze uniformity of the Yue celadons and Longquan celadons, which are technologically mature, is much better.

Abstract:Quenching rate is an important factor in radiation quenching studies of porcelains. It is also important for TL predose dating, as low quenching rate leads to large errors or render TL predose dating inapplicable. Radiation quenching rates of 78porcelain samples from Zhejiang Cixi Shanglin Lake were tested. These earliest celadon porcelains were from 11ancient Yue sites of the Tang, the Five dynasties and the Song. The average radiation quenching rate of Yue porcelain samples is 11.4%, which ensures separation of different sensitivity curves and high accuracy of TL ages by the pre-dose quenching technique.

Abstract:Twentysix samples, including ancient and modern San Cai, potteries and porcelains, were tested to study the influence of XRF experiments on TL dating of ceramics. TL ages were measured and compared using three experimental conditions:(1) general and routine, (2) after XRF experimentation on the sample body and (3) after XRF experimentation on the sample glaze. It was found that the influence of XRF experimentation on TL dating varies from sample to sample. For some samples, there was no influence on TL dating results; for some samples, the TL ages became older. However, the influence was not large enough to result in dating modern samples as ancient after XRF experimentation.

Abstract:In order to study the techniques used in the Eastern Zhou period for manufacturing bimetallic bronze swords, Xray diffraction, CT, XRF and metallographic analysis were used to study the inner structures, manufacturing techniques, alloy techniques and metallographic structures of two bimetallic bronze swords excavated from Qi State in the early Warring States period in Zhoujia Village, Xintai, Shandong. The result showed that both of the bimetallic bronze swords were made with two kinds of alloys, a lowtin alloy and a hightin alloy. Based on this analysis, the differences in manufacturing techniques between these two bimetallic bronze swords excavated from Xintai and characteristic bimetallic bronze swords from the Wu State and the Yue State are discussed. Structurally, the lowtin areas were on the two sides of the sword ridge, where they were mixed well with the hightin areas; various patterns appear on the cross-sections. In terms of composition, the tin content of the lowtin areas was only 4%, which gave the best elongation for tin bronze. In regard to the characteristic handle of bimetallic bronze swords, although the inner structures of bimetallic bronze swords excavated from Xintai were different from the characteristic swords from the Wu State and the Yue State, the principles of their manufacture were similar.

Abstract:Many clay molds, which were used to cast metal molds for minting bronze coins have been excavated from Han Dynasty mint sites in Shaanxi province,. We can understand not only how ancient craftsmen used a clay mold to cast a metal mold, but also how a metal mold was used to cast bronze coins in the Han dynasty. The change in clay mold structures used for casting metal molds in the Han dynasty is presented in this paper. There were three kinds of pouring gates in the clay molds. Most clay molds were made of two layers:a facing mold and a backing mold. Some clay mold remains from Xiangjiaxiang and Wotouzhai minting sites were analyzed. The compositions of five clay molds analyzed by XRF showed no identical difference between the facing and backing materials. The twolayer mold was used so that a clearer cavity surface could be made from a model. The compositions of cavity surface and noncavity surface of one of the facing molds (Xiaoquanzhiyi No.2) was studied by Electron Probe analysis, but it could not be determined whether or not any coating was applied to the cavity surface, suggesting that this mold was used to cast an iron mold, which could be another important type of metal mold used during the Han dynasty.

Abstract:Documents published in 9core journals were analyzed using bibliometrical methods in terms of journal, specific nuclear methodology, and annual number of publications. The differences among journals, methods and annual publication quantity were studied, and the applications of various nuclear methods in conservation and archaeology science were analyzed. The results suggested that wider application and more accurate dating are two of the future development directions.

Abstract:Using bibliometrics, a statistical analysis has been made for papers published by Sciences of Conservation and Archaeology between 1989and 2008in terms of number of papers, paper subjects, information density, distribution of papers by first author, geographic distribution of articles, and distribution of author'' organizations. The results of this study provide quantitative data regarding research activity, growth, and information circulation in conservation and archaeological science.

Abstract:The status of small libraries is discussed in terms of collection management, service, staffing and funding. Based on their advantages and disadvantages, various strategies are proposed for small libraries. In addition to scientific management, infrastructure improvement and staff training, service expansion is required. With the development of digitization and the availability of the Internet, integration of books, information and archives is an inevitable trend in the development of small libraries. The foundation of integration is digitization of literature information. The key to improve the services provided by small size libraries is to further exploit literature information and provide efficient and innovative knowledge services based on the demand of the research programs and staff members.