Abstract:In order to evaluate level of development of early metallurgical technology in Shandong Province, three slag samples unearthed from the Ying City relic site were analyzed by scanning electron microscopeenergydispersive spectrometry (SEMEDS). The results showed that two samples are copper smelting slags and that one is an arsenic copper alloy melting slag, indicating the co-existence of two copper smelting processes. The results also indicated that the making of arsenic copper alloys was achieved by purposely adding Ascontaining minerals during the smelting operation. The copper minerals used probably came from the Beijiangshui copper mine while the arsenic minerals used came from the central mountainous area in Shandong Province. These slags should be dated to a period similar to that of the bronze artifacts unearthed from this site and are attributed to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

Abstract:From March to December in 2006, as part of the Chinese SouthNorth Water Diversion Project, archaeological surveys and excavations were conducted at the Qiaojiayuan village in Yun County by archaeologists from the Institution of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Hubei Province and other archaeological institutions, revealing a tomb cluster and remarkable artifact assemblages, including elaborately designed and cast bronzes. Since case studies and technical investigations of the ancient bronzes found in northwestern Hubei Province have been rarely reported, and the bronzes of the Warring States Period and the Eastern Han Dynasty excavated from the Qiaojiayuan tombs have not been analyzed technically, the present work endeavored to analyze these bronzes by metallurgical examination and Xray Fluorescence (XRF). Samples from 14bronzes (mostly utilitarian artifacts) in burials at the Qiaojiayuan tomb cluster were collected for this purpose. The results show that 1) Except one inlaid wire of a bronze pot which is CuSn binary alloy with low tin content, all the others are CuPb bronzes; and 2) the investigated bronzes are mostly cast bronzes, but techniques such as hot and cold forging, metal core support, copper inlay were also used. These preliminary results provided data for further study of the production of bronzes of the Warring States to Eastern Han periods in Hubei.

Abstract:In order to analyze the disease and its cause of three Yue kiln celadons unearthed from tomb of Shuiqiu in Lin''an county by classifying the disease states of these celadons, observing the micromorphology of the related celadon specimens, analyzing the chemical compositions of the specimens by using the technology XRay Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF), and analyzing the samples adhered on the surfaces of celadons by XRF and ion chromatography (IC). The results showed that there were some defects in the firing process for this batch of Yue kiln celadons. The body and glaze of many half-firing celadons were looser than the ordinary celadons, so they would be corroded more easily by the soluble salts in the earth. The rifts even would be aggravated by the change of the environment. On this basis, the diseases legends were defined and drawn, and the diseases types were classified. This work would be beneficial to the development of a scientific and effective measure, and the protection and restoration of the heritage restoration would be more scientific, targeted and operable.

Abstract:In order to enhance the resistance to aging and the permeability of acrylate polymers used for the protection of damaged pottery, a series of in situ composites was synthesized starting with sol containing tetraethoxysilane, which was added to polyacrylate. The color,thermal resistance,molecular structure and microstructure of composites were evaluated by spectrophotometric, DSC, ATRFTIR and SEM techniques. Important features of material performance, such as compressive strength and vapor permeability, were tested for the consolidated pottery samples. The results indicated that the insitu composites had favorable interaction between silica and acrylate copolymer, and that the addition of nano silica improved the thermal stability of the material and prevented photodegradation. The compressive strength and the vapor permeability of the damaged pottery were improved, especially in materials in which 5% to 10% tetraethoxysilane had been added.

Abstract:The Astana graveyard is located in the Gobi Desert in the Turpan basin, Xinjiang, China, and is believed to have been the public cemetery for ancient Gaochang Country dating to a period between the WesternJin and the midTang Dynasty. Large amounts of clay sculptures with multicolored painted patterns, including warriors, horses, tigers, etc, have been unearthed from the graveyard. In order to illuminate the pigments and techniques used for the polychrome on the clay sculptures, micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis along with microscopy observation and EDXRF were used to analyze six clay figure shards selected from a Tang Dynasty tomb dated to A.D. 687~745. Crosssectional observation revealed that the thickness of the pigment layer among samples varied and that in one case the white ground underlayer was anhydrite, which suggested the influence of mural painting tradition. Some pigments were identified, including red/orange (cinnabar, red lead or massicot), brown (haematite), yellow (orpiment), black (carbon black), white (anhydrite), green (atacamite) and pink (anhydrite+red lead or anhydrite+massicot/red lead). This appears to be the earlier report of the use of massicot as a pigment in Xinjiang. Furthermore, the blue pigment was identified as indigo, which is an essential discovery. These identified pigments reflect the diversity and complex palette of ancient peoples. The investigation of pigments and ground layers will provide reference for the restoration and conservation of these precious artworks.

Abstract:Detailed and precise surveying of ancient architecture is the basis for the conservation of the architectural heritages. A single surveying method, such as total station measurement, photogrammetry and laser scanning method, can be defective in accuracy, efficiency or data processing. A multiple sensor integration method for ancient architecture, which provides improved detail and precision, is proposed. Firstly, the requirements and difficulties for ancient architecture surveying are analyzed. The problem of single surveying approach for ancient architecture is discussed. Secondly, a technique flowchart of multiple sensor integration surveying approach with better detail and precision is designed, which integrates total station, laser ranging, closerange photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning and panoramic threedimension measurement. The key data processing methods are discussed. Finally, a detailed surveying of an ancient architecture Liangyi Dian at Wudang Mountain, is designed and implemented with the proposed approach. The result showed that the accuracy can meet detail and precision requirements of ancient architecture surveying. The method can quickly create maps and accurate models of components of ancient architecture, which provide accurate surveying results for the protection of Liangyi Dian.

Abstract:The main hall of Ningbo Baoguo Temple is the oldest and most integrated. Buddhism timber building in the south of the Yangtze River. But it has a serious damage now. In order to better preserve and repair the building, the research on structural performance and damage characteristic is necessary. This research is the scientific foundation of the repair. First, the damages of building were analyzed by the investigation on site. The visible problems were found out. Then the structural performance was researched by accurate survey and FEM analysis to research the potential problems. Finally, the repair suggestions of building were presented based on the results of damage investigation and theoretical analysis.

Abstract:The fairfaced brick facade is one of the most important finishes found in contemporary historic buildings in China. Unlike most monuments or historic sites, those buildings are still utilized or need to be restored to provide new functions. However, almost all fairfaced brick facades are moderately to highly contaminated with watersoluble salts, which may come from rising dampness, airborne pollution, wrong repair materials (like cement) or the historical materials themselves due to chemical weathering. The traditional method in China to deal with such saltcontaminated brick stones has been to replace all of them with new stones. However, recently more effort has been made to nondestructively removing those salts in order to reuse them to meet the international guidelines for heritage conservation, and also because of ecological considerations. One of the effective methods for removing watersoluble salts is the so called “poulticing”. To understand the nature of salt contamination and the effectiveness of such poulticing technologies under sub tropical climate , studies were carried out at PB570, Cattle Depot Artists Village, 63Ma Tau Kok Road,To Kwa Wan, Hong Kong, which is undergoing restoration. Watersoluble salts on bricks before and after desalination, dry poultices of each desalination procedure were analyzed with the help of ion chromatography. The applied poultice was a mixture of cellulose, clay minerals and minor amounts of additives, but no organic or inorganic binders. The Cl-,NO-₃,SO2-₄, contents of dust samples before desalination fall into the high range category according to WTA Code of Practice 4599/D. After three desalination procedures, the concentration of all salts of bricks fell into the low range. These results demonstrate that a specially formulated poultice based on cellulose and clays can effectively remove most watersoluble salts. Restoration of the entire facade includes dentist repairing, rebuilding, reprofiling, repointing with NHLmortar, impregnation with water repellants, and reinstallation of the rising damp barrier with the help of chemical injection.

Abstract:Seals is an important part of the traditional Chinese paintings. The nondestructive analysis and study of sealink on historical paintings is useful for the identification and archaeological research. But the common test method, such as midinfrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, are not suited to quantitative analysis and testing of big paintings, which limits their use in sealink research. Nearinfrared (NIR) spectroscopy combine with chemometric data evaluation, which is a developing method, potentially fulfills these requirements. 14kinds of sealink with different colors and date, 5kinds of paper and silk were collected to validate the feasibility of this method. Experiments show that this method not only can identify different kinds of sealink but also can evaluate the similarity between them, which may be used in dating. The appropriate subtracting treatment can remove the interfering signals of paper or silk and keep the precision of discriminant analysis.

Abstract:Cleaning is an important procedure in the conservation of paper relics. This work studied the application of the siphon technique in cleaning of paper relics. This new technique can prevent undesirable abrasion and mechanical damage during cleaning and is especially suitable for the cleaning of fragile paper artifacts and paintings or calligraphies with poor color fastness upon rinsing. This technique can reduce the possibility of contamination caused by circulation using the traditional method of rinsing. The technique can also improve the effectivness of cleaning. The brightness and glossiness of the washed artifacts remained unchanged. The pH values increased to 8.5 after siphon cleaning. It provides an alternative way for conservators to wash the paperbased artifacts.

Abstract:Environmental investigation in unexcavated tomb chambers may provide the scientific basis for excavation process, conservation and restoration of antiques. Before M1tomb chamber of mausoleum ZHANG Anshi in Han Dynasty was excavated, microclimate parameters and concentrations of some atmospheric pollutants inside the chambers were monitored. The results showed that the indoor relative humidity was higher and indoor temperature, concentration of oxygen and some acidic gas pollutants were lower than those in outdoor environment. To protect the antiques being excavated, appropriate measures should be deployed, including:employing sealed container, moisture retention, and evading light. The systematic monitoring procedures and dataset obtained can also be referenced in other archaeological investigations and preservation researches.

Abstract:During the period of time from 1970to 1990, large quantities of polymeric materials were applied to painted artifacts in museums or in situ to wall painting to stabilize and protect pigment layers. At that time, about 40years ago, both suitable conservation materials and application techniques were undeveloped and limited. Now those aged protecting organic layers, such as acrylic polymer and Sanjia resin, have caused new problems for conservation. Challenges include gloss, yellowing, craquelure, flaking, etc. This paper lists a few cases that illustrate how degraded polymers have destroyed wall paintings and how they have had negative effects on wall paintings. Then, the concept of “degradation” was defined, illustrated and categorized into two groups. A situation falling into either category could be considered “degraded” protecting layer and must be removed for longterm protection of the mural paintings. Finally, effectiveness and longtime effect of gel cleaning and microemulsion cleaning techniques were discussed.

Abstract:A review on natural materials such as the saponins, starch and other active ingredients of plant, pancreas, grease and other animal extracts, plant ash, natural alkali and other minerals and microbial enzymes, which were historically applied in cleaning calligraphy and paintings. This research provides a brief introduction to the natural materials which have been applied in the cleaning of excavated silk textiles such as contaminated by blood stains, fat and other organic pollutants, microbial mildew spot and inorganic contaminants. The cleaning results showed that natural materials is safe and effective for cleaning excavated silk textiles. The natural materials for cleaning didn''t damage the textiles and is considered to be environmentally friendly. Their application is a significant progress in the protection of excavated silk textiles.

Abstract:An organicinorganic mortar can be created by adding organic materials to lime mortars and tabia. Blood based mortar is one of the most important representative formulations among the ancient Chinese organicinorganic mortars. It reflects not only a distinctive feature of traditional Chinese crafts, but also the scientific level of the construction technology at that time. The history of use of bloodmaterial mortar can be traced back 2200years, to the ground plaster used in building the Qin (B.C.221~ 206) Xianyang Palace, which consisted of pig blood, lime and a kind of stone named ginger rock. This bloodbased mortar was used primarily as the ground layer of decorative oil paintings, lacquer ware, etc. It is generally believed that the widest use of blood based material as a ground layer of decorative oil paintings and oil paint was in the Qing Dynasty (A.D.1644~1911), while its use in lacquerware starts no later than the Ming Dynasty (A.D.1368 1644). The method for preparing bloodbased mortar, which originates in the Qin consists of rubbing, filtering, adding limewater, and stirring. The ultimate product is jellylike. It can be used directly, or it can be first prepared with lime and then put into use. Nowadays the analysis and detection of the blood products in mortars is based primarily on the detection of the proteins in the mortars. The detection methods include Kjeldahl determination, spectroscopic analysis, chromatographic study, mass spectrometric method, Folinphenol method and ELISA method, etc. Animal blood exerts many effects on mortars, including foaming, water reduction, improved viscosity, waterproofing, decrease of roughness, anticracking, etc. This article also discusses the effective mechanisms of bloodbased mortar. The foaming effect comes from the proteins contained in the animal blood, especially the hemoglobin which has a great solubility and makes a perfect foaming agent.The water reducing effect is due to the anionic and hydrophilic groups of the blood proteins enhancing the dispersion of particles in the mortar, thus releases the free water in the flocculated structure. The improved viscosity due to the blood protein is probably caused by the ion crosslinking of calcium, carbonate and hydroxyl ions in the alkaline environment created by the lime. Waterproofing results from chemical bonds formed by the hydroxyl, amino and carboxyl groups, etc. Finally, the mixture of blood materials and tung oil forms channelstructured membrane, thus improves roughness and reduces cracking Apart from bloodbased mortars, the ancient Chinese organicinorganic mortars also utilized eggwhites, sticky rice, brown sugar and tung oil, etc. These mortars, like bloodbased mortar, also had excellent properties and functions. In many cases, all five natural organic compounds (egg white, blood, sticky rice, brown sugar and tung oil) are mixed up with one another to form integrated mortars. The overall objective was to learn more about the scientific basis and limitations of bloodmaterial mortars to aid in historical building restoration and protection.

Abstract:The process of restoration of a rare red sandalwood with a carved lotus dragon for public display is reported in this paper. The entire process, including materials and techniques is described in detail. The author also shares his tenyear experience in antique furniture restoration.