Abstract:In order to identify the natural organic materials used in cultural relics, the confocal micro-Raman spectra of ancient known protein, polysaccharide, fatty acid and resin materials were obtained. Based on the Raman spectra of animal skin glue, peach tree gum glue, carnauba wax and Dammar tree resin, it was deduced that the peaks at 1657cm-1, 1305cm-1~1252cm-1, 1033cm-1 and 1003cm-1 are characteristic of proteins; the peaks at 1463cm-1, 1328cm-1, 1258cm-1, 1088cm-1, 977cm-1 are those of polysaccharides; the peaks at 1470cm-1~1350cm-1, 1659cm-1, 1303cm-1, 1636cm-1, 1610cm-1 are those of wax; and the peaks of 1660cm-1~1650cm-1, 1460cm-1~1440cm-1 are the features of resin. Based on these Raman spectra, it is suggested that natural organic materials can be identified by confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract:This paper was a study of the manufacturing techniques used for “Jiazhutai” lacquer wares from the Dayunshan tomb based on the use of various analytical techniques, including moisture content testing, thickness measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lacquer wares were found to have high moisture content——over 60%. The total lacquer layer thickness ranges from 2 to 3 mm, while the thickness of the fabric core was from 1.5 to 2.5 mm; the lacquer film on each side was 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The lacquer film was found to contain no Tung oil. The red layer contains HgS, and black layer contains an iron compound. The results are compatible with known traditional lacquer ware manufacturing techniques. This research provides information for future conservation of these lacquer wares.

Abstract:The precious textiles from the Shanpula tomb in Luopu county, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, are useful, along with textiles from other ancient tombs, for studying the history of world textiles and trade along the Silk Road. These textiles carry important historical, cultural and technical values of the development of human society. With the aim of understanding the use of gold in ancient textiles, a twining gold thread from the Shanpula tomb in Luopu county, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, was analyzed , using digital optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy with Xray microanalysis (SEM/EDS) to reveal characteristics of the gold thread and its inner structure. Its physical characteristics, including width, thickness and alloy composition, were recorded. The results are important and should be of help in future research on the techniques used in ancient times to make textiles containing twining gold threads. Future study can focus on gathering analysis information of gold thread, therefore provides insights into the origin and development of gold usage in textile.

Abstract:This paper presents technical examination results of the painting techniques used on the painted bronze waterfowls unearthed from the burial pit K0007 of Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum site, microscopy, polarization microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used in order to obtain a detailed understanding of the painting techniques used. The results show that the white pigment is bone white and that the black pigment is carbon black. The paints usually are applied in multiple pigment layers to the bronze directly, which is significantly different from painting techniques used for the terracotta pottery soldiers and horses at the same site. Various painting techniques including brushing and piling are used. Piling of pigment is mainly used to paint the feathers. The tools used for applying pigments may have been brushes. In China, it is mainly during the Qin and Han dynasties that paints are used for decorating bronze objects. This technique is used neither long nor widely. The main reasons for this might include the fragility of painting decoration itself and the change in function for bronze objects from ritual to daily use.

Abstract:A lot of weapons made during Eastern Zhou period with typical Wu State characteristics have been unearthed in Zhoujia Village, Xintai City, in Shandong Province. Among those weapons, bronze swords are the most characteristic. In order to understand the construction and technique of jointing in pommels decorated with concentric circles and of handles of the swords made during the Eastern Zhou period,three such swords were analyzed by Xray and computer tomography (CT) methods. The results show that two casting techniques are used:onepiece casting and the casting-on technique. Two of the swords were formed by two-stage casting and one by three-stage casting. CT was used in this study to clearly demonstrate the shapes and distributions of the tenons in the two pommels decorated with concentric circles. In this article, the variety and the flexibility of the joining techniques applied in these ancient pommels are discussed. This work demonstrates the skills and excellent joining techniques used for making bronze objects during that time.

Abstract:At the present time there is severe damage to the Song dynasty IronGuanyin at Tiefosi (Iron Buddha Temple) in Huzhou. The damage includes powdering,abscission,bubbling,corrosion, etc. Conservation of the IronGuanyin is urgently required. Based on studies using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Xray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy(IR),Raman spectroscopy and metallographic analysis, it was learned that the matrix composition of IronGuanyin is gray cast iron. The chemical composition of the substrate is approximately:96.85% iron, 0.47% silicon, 0.45% copper, 0.096% sulfur and 3% carbon. The main components of surface coating and plaster are alkyd resin and plaster, respectively, and the corrosion material is a mixture of αFeOOH, βFeOOH and γFeOOH. The causes of this damage are discussed. The composition of the internal matrix material, the atmospheric environment, harmful gases and aging of the surface coating are all important factors contributing to the damage. This research provides a reference for future conservation programs.

Abstract:In order to preserve deeply rusted bronze cultural relics collection effectively in the long term, cuprous chloride needs to be transformed or removed. Using reproductions of antique bronzes as research objects, cycle electrochemical experiments technique, for example, the Cycle voltammetry (CV), potentiostatic polarization, etc., were used to study the electrochemical behavior of bronze in an electrolyte that simulates moist soil. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro confocal laser Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the corrosion products. The results show that the oxidation process involves the formation of CuCl, which can be reduced back to pure Cu. The morphology of the corrosion and its product was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEMEDS). The changes in the cuprous chloride at different humidity levels were observed. Discussion of the removal of deeply harmful cuprous chloride rust from bronze relics will be of value in the conservation of bronze objects in museum collections.

Abstract:The Hongwu (a Ming Dynasty reign title) porcelains are a focus of research because the kilns at Jingdezhen first started making royal porcelains during the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty. Energy dispersive XRay fluorescence (EDXRF) can directly analyze multiple components in the ancient ceramics. In this work EDXRF was used to analyze the compositions of the bodies and glazes of the Hongwu porcelains. The results show that different glaze materials are using in various porcelains during the Hongwu period. The underglaze blue pigment for Hongwu bluewhite and cobaltblue wares is an imported cobalt ore with a highiron and lowmanganese content while the porcelain bodies are made using two recipes in which kaolin clay added to the porcelain stone .

Abstract:During the Jin and Yuan dynasties in the central part of the western Henan province, a number of kiln sites produced both celadon and Jun wares. The Donggou kiln site in Ruzhou city, excavated in 2005, is typical of them. In order to understand the characteristics of the chemical composition and the technology for both celadon and Jun wares from the Donggou kiln site, and to trace their development with time, 43 pieces of celadon and Jun ware sherds from known strata were analyzed by energy dispersive Xray fluorescence (EDXRF) and optical microscopy (OM). This study shows a close similarity in the body compositions for both the celadon and Jun wares in the same period, and also that only minor changes occurred before and after the dynasty transition. On the other hand, significant changes in glaze composition were detected with the dynasty transition. The calcium glaze of the Jin dynasty was replaced by the calcium-alkali glaze of the Yuan dynasty. Also a difference in glaze composition was observed between the Donggou celadon and Jun wares in both the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, namely a significantly higher SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio in Jun wares than in celadon wares. This is crucial to the liquid phase separation in glaze that endows the Jun wares with a pleasant opalescent appearance. Statistically significant differences in the glaze thickness and the glazebodyreaction layer thickness among the four categories of sherd samples are observed and discussed. This work may offer a better insight into the relationship and evolution of these two porcelain types in the central part of western Henan province during the Jin and Yuan dynasties.

Abstract:With the aim of finding suitable lime materials to enhance the geotechnical heritage sites, several kinds of lime materials used in ancient Chinese structures, as well as European hydraulic limes, were compared in terms of chemical composition and physical and mechanical properties of sintered ore and stone. It was found that chemical burned Aga soil, water lime NHL5(Natural Hydralhydraulic lime5) and modified on the ash is mainly composed of airsetting cementing material CaO (or Ca(OH)₂) and hydraulic cementitious material beta calcium silicate(βCS)and calcium aluminosilicate (CAS). Therefore, the solidified forms of these materials have similar characteristics in terms of elastic wave velocity, high porosity, very little shrinkage deformation, strong frost resistance, water stability and other characteristics. The results suggest that they are suitable for reinforcement of relics made of rock and soil. On the other hand, lime, sticky rice mortar, oyster ash and the traditional hammer ash are composed mainly of CaO or Ca(OH)₂, and their rates of solidification from a slurry is slow, the elastic wave velocity is small and the rate increases slow. Although solidified form has high porosity, its shorttime strength is very low, and the body deforms easily due to shrinkage. These results suggest that slurry is not suitable for preservation and reinforcement of cultural relics made of rock and earth that have intensity requirements within short timeframe. Therefore, it is necessary to do further research on oyster ash and classic hammer ash before using them for reinforcement of cultural relics made of rock and soil.

Abstract:A stable museum environment is good for the preservation of relics. Unfortunately, as historic buildings, the buildings of the Palace Museum are relics themselves. Although some of the buildings are not suitable for the preservation of relics, alteration of the building appearance or structure is not allowed. Therefore, they are not ideal as preservation environments. In this study, the characteristics of buildings in the Palace Museum were listed and the problems related to environmental monitoring and control were presented and discussed. Previous temperature and humidity control methods were compared, analyzed and evaluated. Problems of environmental control in ancient buildings were summarized and reflected upon. Well-sealed showcases with suitable humidity control materials could be a good way to control the relative humidity, and therefore to decrease the effect of temperature change on humidity. Currently, this is one possibility of microenvironmental control.

Abstract:This paper presents a new method to obtain threedimensional (3D) highly detailed documentation of cultural relics. The thousandhand bodhisattva was scanned by an articulated arm scanner and was recorded using a highresolution camera. The information was used to construct a 3D model that reflects completely the current condition, thereby providing an aid for onsite conservation. First, the cultural relics can be scanned precisely using the articulated arm scanner and, based on the high accuracy geometric data, a detailed 3D model can be made. Then some points are selected for highresolution image scanning. The 3D data and detailed modeling can provide useful information for statistic studies, virtual restoration and longterm monitoring. The data also provides scientific information for onsite conservation. The application of this method on Dazu Thousandhand Bodhisattva is discussed in detail. The method was shown to be feasible and efficient, providing a good example for 3D documentation of other relics.

Abstract:A piece of Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain was unearthed from the Tanghe tomb in Fengyang,Anhui. The porcelain, which has complete excavation records. Its information is integrity and of great cultural and historical value. However, its rim was damaged. A previous repair is not fixed, it is necessary to solve the problem.under the idea of “Heritage minimum intervention principle”, which implies that “restoration can be identified” .Through documentation, splitting, cleaning, bonding, the void was filled. Then colors and glazes were applied to complete the restoration. Steam cleaning technology was used successfully to remove the epoxy resin. Silica powder was used to replace talcum powder, which significantly improved the hardness and prolong the heritage life. After the restoration, this element of the fillings, thus prolonging the lifespan of the restored object. The restored blue and white porcelain not only exhibits the Yuan Dynasty porcelain appearance, but also retains itsreproduce heritage is intact, and preserve historical marks. This work represents a new idea for the restoration of Chinese relics.

Abstract:Jardine Matheson, located in 27 East Zhongshan No.1 Road, is a national cultural heritage conservation unit in Shanghai. The outdoor wall lamps, which were 2 meters high and 0.8 meters wide, needed to be restored. Taking into account the previous restoration work, a restoration plan was decided upon. Scientific restoration techniques were used for the cast iron part of the wall lamps. Traditional and modern technologies were combined to replicate the lampshade. A reasonable design was applied to repair, restore and reinstall the wall lamps in order to restore its original appearance.

Abstract:Throughout history, termites have caused huge economic losses to human society, as well as to wooden cultural heritage objects, especially to those wooden relics that cannot be moved. This article reviews recent methods and treatments related to termite damage and its treatment. A strategy using insect growth regulators (IGRs) as bait is the most efficient and the most environmentally friendly one of the methods reviewed. The method employees a monitor, kill and remonitor system and results in the least damage to the relics. Some other methods provide new approaches to eliminate termites. These methods include using pathogenic parasites, microbes and virus to infect termites or using plants and their extractions for treatment.