Abstract:In order to provide a scientific basis for preserving the Underground Palace in Jinling Dabaoen Temple, actual structural information of the Underground Palace was analyzed using engineering simulation software:ANSYS. Structural safety problems under various combinations of construction loads were noted. Then two different conservation designs involving the adding of sleeves and adding of sleeves and anchor rods were evaluated based on the conservation rules and the results of theoretical analysis. The structural performances of the two designs under four load combinations were analyzed comparatively by ANSYS. Finally, a conservation design plan for the underground palace in Jinling Dabaoen Temple was decided upon. The plan suggests adding both sleeves and anchor rods. The engineering parameters of the sleeves and anchor rods are also presented.

Abstract:This paper describes the use of the predose thermoluminescence (TL) dating technique on eight ancient city wall brick samples from Zhonghe Town, Hainan province. The sand content of the clay near this area is quite high due to its proximity to the sea. When using this clay to produce wall bricks during ancient times, the firing temperature is much higher than used for making wall bricks in other areas. Of the eight specimens of wall brick, 4 are gray, 3 are red and 1 is gray outside and red inside. When measuring the paleodose of brick samples by the method of High Temperature All Grains, it is found that the luminescence sensitivity of samples is very poor and irregular, so it is very hard to find the plateau area in the plateau curve and impossible to determine the correct ages of these ancient wall brick samples by this method. Afterwards, regression method of saturation exponential in predose technique is adopted to date these ancient brick samples. It is found that these samples have a good predose thermoluminescence effect and that the paleodose reproducibility of the samples is also good. Gray brick samples no. 2,3, 6 and 8 are dated as A.D.1424, A.D.1439, A.D.1484 and A.D. 1434, in the early Ming Dynasty (14^th15^th century); red brick samples no. 1,4 and 7 as A.D.1604, A.D.1669, A.D.1639 in the late Ming Dynasty (16^th17^th century) and no. 5 is dated as A.D.1874 in the late Qing dynasty (19^th century), respectively. The size and composition of sample no.5 is very similar to those of samples no.1,4 and 7. It is inferred that it has been produced at about the same time as no. 1,4 and 7, but that the TL dating age of sample 5 is much younger. According to a fieldwork investigation by archaeologists, there was an accidental fire in the late Qing Dynasty where sample no.5 was unearthed, which is in agreement with the TL dating age of sample no.5 sample.

Abstract:The traditional crafts used for the polychrome terracotta warriors of the Qin Dynasty were investigated based on information currently available on these objects, Traditional craftsmanship information includes the use of pig blood in the lacquer layer, the lacquer formula, the pigment layer formula, the manufacture of lacquer and pigment and the selection of pottery. Based on this information, a simulated model is made to have a lacquer layer (35~68μm thick), and pigment layers (red pigment, 20~50μm; white pigment, 55~70μm; green pigment, 50~70μm; and blue pigment, 55~65μm). All these layers are about the same thickness as on the real terracotta warriors. The best pig blood concentration in the lacquer is 4%. Some glues are also used to apply the pigment layers: gelatin in water (1:32,) and egg white in water (1:2). The process of flaking of the pigment layers and the lacquer layer are simulated in the lab. The prepared samples provide a basic object to simulate the the process of damage, and can be used for further study of the decay mechanism and for conservation studies.

Abstract:Acidfree paper is an important material for the packaging and storage of cultural relics. With the aim of conserving relics, eight domestic and foreign acidfree packing and storage papers were analyzed. The chemical and fiber composition of these papers were recorded. Based on these analytical results, a new kind of acidfree paper for the packing of relics has been tried to develop. It is found that the acidfree paper produced in the Chinese market and used for archive boxes contains excess lignin, and therefore is not appropriate for cultural relics. However, the handmade cotton and hemp paper now used for packaging and storage of cultural relics does meet the requirements for cultural relics. The pH, metal ion composition, Kappa number and physical properties of the selfdeveloped acidfree papers were tested and were determined to be safe for cultural relics. The paper passed the Oddy Test and can be used widely for packaging and storage of cultural relics.

Abstract:In recent years, high concentration of insoluble iron sulfides, including FeS₂ and FeS, have been found in the marine wooden shipwrecks. These iron sulfides can be oxidized to form sulfuric acid, which rapidly damages the wood cellulose when the wooden shipwrecks are exposed to conditions of high humidity and oxygen. Removal of those pyrite compounds is currently a problem worldwide. This paper summarizes some preliminary research to remove iron sulfides in the wrecks of wooden Qing Dynasty ships in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. In addition, a new reagent named EDTAHO that uses a combination of a metal complex and an oxidant has been developed to remove the iron sulfides. The test results are satisfactory and should prove useful for future conservation work involving dehydration and reinforcement of wooden marine shipwreck relics.

Abstract:Selection of an effective biocide to control microbial damage to relics is important for cultural heritage conservation. Traditionally, selection methods depend on growing bacteria under controlled conditions in lab. However, some microorganisms cannot be studied well because they do not grow well under these conditions. Furthermore, the methods cannot be applied for rapid onsite detection and identification of certain microorganisms. Recently, some rapid detection methods for viable microbes have been developed that do not require cultivation and can solve these problems. This study reviews traditional and current rapid detection methods. It is found that an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence technique, works very well, both in the lab and onsite for the evaluation of the effects of multiple biocides on relics. The method provides a new way to select biocides for cultural heritage conservation.

Abstract:In this study, the fungus that has spread widely in Tanjiapo ruins museum of Changsha Tongguan kilnsites,Hunan province was quickly identified. The site was surveyed and the fungus that commonly pollutes archaeological sites was identified. Different typical of microbial samples were collected using a sterile scalpel, then the total genomic DNA was extracted, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the fungal ITS regions. Through a search of a DNA library, the fungal groups were identified. The results indicated that Fusarium oxysporum,Phlebia brevispora, and Lyophyllum decastes were the major fungi polluting the surfaces of archaeological ruins in the study site. These fungi belong to families, Nectriaceae, Corticiaceae, and Lyophyllaceae respectively. All of them are saprophytic fungi, and are responsible for degradation of wood materials in the soil. Thereafter, it is concluded that a mass of root residues has provided vital nutrient sources for the aggressive proliferation of fungus, and the high temperature and relatively high humidity are major environmental factors that promote the explosion of fungal growth in this study site. The manual elimination of the fungi and of root debris, along with proper environmental controls, is encouraged for disease control in this archaeological museum.

Abstract:Passive samplingion chromatography was used to monitor polluting gases, including acidic, basic and oxidizing gases, in Qin Emperor Terracotta Warriors and Horses site. The results were compared with active sampling method to test the effectiveness of ion chromatography with passive samplers. It is found that within a large concentration range and under a long period of sampling, the overall concentrations results of two sampling methods are comparable and consistent. Passive sampling techniques, therefore, could be applied to the monitoring of corrosive gases at museum sites.

Abstract:Traditionally, design and planning is based on computeraided design (CAD). But this research involves application of the geographic information system (GIS) to the design and planning of Salawusu Archaeological Site Park of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In this paper, data and materials are collected by field reconnaissance and processed on the platform of ArcGIS Desktop, which provides a deep understanding of the planning process of the archaeological site park as well as GIS (geographic information system) technology. Subsequently, based on the database of the area studied, a threedimensional (3D) visualization is constructed to simulate and describe the overall landscape of the study area. The 3D visualization module of ArcScene, which is one module of ArcGIS Desktop, is used as the platform. From this detailed understanding of the landscape of Salawusu can be obtained, which can aid the planning and design of Salawusu Archaeological Site Park. In this paper, the spatial information expressionvisualization method is introduced as a tentative roadmap for the design and planning of other archaeological site parks in China.

Abstract:The instability of rock bodies is one of the major threats to the cave relics. Realtime monitoring of rock bodies is needed. If a large amount of data is collected, it can be used to construct a mathematical model to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of protection plans. Using the Yungang Grottoes as an example, this paper selects monitoring systems based on characteristics of the rock mass and introduces a statistical analysis model used in stability monitoring to analyze and evaluate the stability of rock mass. Research focused on factors closely associated with the rock mass stability, for example, rock surface deformation, dangerously inclined rock masses and rock surface temperature distribution. This research promotes the integration of the study of cultural relic preservation with other disciplines. Also it helps the preservation of cultural rock relics based on science and technology.

Abstract:Hyperspectral imaging instrumentation was used to collect the spectral and spatial information on a modern Chinese painting. The spectral angle mapper (SAM) was selected to classify and identify the pigments used in the painting. The classification and identification results with actual pigments used are compared. It is found that in order to achieve more satisfactory results different threshold values must be assigned due to the different characteristics of the pigments. The threshold value could be ascertained by studying the mean spectrum of different classes in comparison with the standard pigments data base. Some technical details of SAM are discussed in order to provide data support for future studies on identification of pigments used in Chinese relic paintings.

Abstract:Ancient wall paintings reflect the politics, economy, culture, art and state of technology of their periods. By using current technologies to analyze the ancient wall paintings, combined with related ancient documents, one can generate information on the painting technique used, estimate the age of the wall paintings and evaluate their historical, scientific and artistic values. In this work, samples from murals in the pilgrimagecorridor walls at Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet were analyzed by Raman and polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with Xray microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Xray diffraction. The wall painting of the Buddha Sakyamuni was likely to have been painted between the late Qing Dynasty and 1980s. The structure layer was made of "aga" soil, which is consistent with traditional Tibet documents. However, the white layer has lithopone, magnesium carbonate and calcite, which is different from that recorded in the document. In the document, a white or yellow glue mix was suggested for this layer.The pigments are used by traditional Tibetan painting methods.

Abstract:Petroglyphs vividly record the production, life, worship and other activities of ancient ancestors. They are epics of human civilization. However, there are great difficulties in dating rock petroglyphs. In the paper, a method using digital image processing based on a Hue, Saturation and Intensity (HSI) color model is presented to date the petroglyphs. In theory, rock Intensity (I) is linearly correlated with the age of the rock and therefore can be used to date petroglyphs. This method can extract the rock intensity in the entire rock, which is much better than using a limited number of points by manual testing. The experimental results show that this method can provide a reasonable, simple and quick solution to the problem of dating rock paintings. It should be mentioned that the accuracy is dependent on the accuracy of the dating of the rock selected.

Abstract:With the development of three dimensional (3D) technologies, mapping cities based on digital information and constructing city landscapes has become increasingly close to people's life. Many domestic and foreign institutions are doing research on the digitalization of cultural relics. In the past, only single cultural relics could be reconstructed with the 3D technique. Time and funding was needed to collect surface texture information and to build the model. Therefore, the technique could not be applied to large scale models and could not be used for a 3D scene construction of cultural relics. True three-dimensional construction of major cultural relics is the key to the construction of three-dimensional cultural landscapes. But large artifacts usually have complex structures, with large amounts of measured data, therefore are rather complicated in terms of texture mapping and organization of results. For these reasons, this paper proposes a fast mapping method based on 3D laser scanning polygon, and uses the reconstruction of the Buddha sculpture in Dafosi (great Buddha temple) of Bin County as an example. Feasible schemes are discussed for making maps of large relics in order to achieve real 3D models of large artifacts. This experiment provides a new way of thinking and a technical method for construction of real scene artifacts using true 3D modeling.

Abstract:Monitoring the safety of an artifact has always been a most complicated but significant task in the preservation of cultural relics. To ensure the structural safety of a canoe. with thousands of years of history, during its excavation, a wholeprocess monitoring method based on the technique of distributed optical fiber sensors is presented. Considering the situation of the project, the layout of optical fiber sensors is determined. By analyzing the monitoring data, the influences have been evaluated in the process of reinforcement and reversal of the canoe. Monitoring results show that the distributed optical fiber sensing technology can effectively capture the changes of structural changes in each process. And the analysis results show that the hull is still safe under the cultural relics protection. The effectiveness of this technique also proves its application in construction. This method is of great promotional merit as it significantly improves the current level of cultural relics protection.

Abstract:In order to understand the state of conservation of the wood in the Ming Dynasty Wreck Ship, Nan'ao No.1, in Shantou City, Guangdong, the S6 shifting board and stern deck were selected to for species identification and moisture content analysis. The physical characteristics and chemical composition of these samples were analyzed by several modern scientific methods. The results show that the woods used for the S6 shifting board and stern deck from the wreck, Nan'ao No.1, are from the Chinese cherry tree. Contrary to the common Chinese cherry, which has an average moisture content of 68.26%, that of the shifting board and stern deck is 327.78%. Furthermore, the content of holocellulose in the shipwreck samples is significantly decreased. The ash contents and the 1% NaOH extract are increased to some extent. A large amount of soluble salt was detected, in which the main ions are Na⁺, K⁺,Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl- and SO2-₄. In general, the concentrations of all ions are high, among which SO2-₄ is the highest. Many pyrite compounds are found, among which iron pyrite is the major dissoluble salt. Overall analysis shows that after soaking in the water for a long time, serious degradation had occurred to the organic membrane support of the wood from the wreck. Degradation of organic membrane components such as cellulose provides room for water and a large amount of salt. Thus the wood basic density is decreased significantly. So not only should water immersion be used to desalt the wood from the wreck of Nan'ao No.1, but also suitable chemical adsorbents should be used to remove pyrite compounds.

Abstract:The construction of digital platform for the popularization of science in museums helps to protect cultural relics, and facilitates the historical and cultural education and communication function of museums, and thus is of significant realistic and historical meaning. This paper introduces a method of building digital platforms using panoramic photography, 3D scanning and other digital information collection technologies. Using this information about both the interior and exterior of the key cultural relics can be collected. Based on this information, an online museum can be built, enabling a complete presentation of the physical museum and immersive virtual tour services via the Internet or mobile Internet. By adopting technologies such as twodimensional codes, electronic tags and hybrid location, the museum can provide audio and video selfservice guides of cultural and science popularization. The platform makes possible the design and production of adolescent/youthoriented 4D films reflecting Chinese historical and cultural heritage, and construction of engineering playing systems for dynamic 4D cinema theaters. Such digital platforms will promote the popularization of science in museums.