Abstract:A hyperspectral imaging system operated in the nearinfrared (NIR) region was used for noncontact measurement of the degree of flaking of the murals in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes. First, depending on the degree of flaking on the murals in a small area, the degree of flaking as being of four types were categorized:normal, slight, serious and complete. Second, hyperspectral images of the site were acquired and the spectral signatures were extracted. Then the site with corresponding spectral data were modeled using partial least squares regression, principal component analysis and support vector instrument, principal component analysis and artificial neural networks to evaluate its degree of flaking. The degree of flaking values were evaluated with coefficients of determination (Rsquared) and root mean square errors. Experimental results show that the partial least squares regression (PLSR) method gives very good results. The weighted regression coefficients of the resulting PLSR models were used to identify the most important wavelengths aim to reduce the high dimensionality of the hyperspectral data. By using these important wavelengths, an algorithm was developed to evaluate every pixel in the image for visualizing the degree of flaking in all portions of the samples. The results show that NIR hyperspectral imaging system is a potential technique for nondestructive evaluation of the degree of flaking of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes murals.

Abstract:In order to prolong the life of the ancient murals, some modern polymeric materials were used as coherence reinforcement agents to infiltrate murals. Thirty years later, these materials have aged, lost efficacy and even started to cause problems. In order to extend the life of the ancient murals and to apply new reinforcement materials, it will be important to remove the aged reinforcement materials. However, removal of these materials has remained a scientific and technological problem. This study focuses on four common reinforced polymeric materials:polyvinyl acetate emulsion, modified siliconeacrylic emulsion, pure acrylic emulsion and Paraloid B72. The cleaning process were simulated in the laboratory.The most environmental friendly and efficient material an aqueous gel was selected for testing cleaning technology. Four gel materials were designed and prepared and 16 gel formulations were tested. Gels together with ethyl acetate, xylene, amyl alcohol, propylene carbonate were tested. The performance of gel, the compatibility of gel and detergent and damage to the murals were all evaluated. Besides the cleaning capability of these four reinforcement agents, the influence of reinforcement materials ageing were tested on clearance, etc., on porcelain plate, glass and simulated murals. Finally, it is suggested suitable method for removal of the 4 reinforcement agents, calculated the rate of their reversibility and analyzed the collected data.

Abstract:Soluble salt recrystallization can expand damaging surfaces of historical earthen sites. Therefore, it is very important to know the soluble salt content and the suitable time to remove these soluble salts by conservation treatments. In this paper, various levels of 1∶1(mass/mass) Na₂SO₄ and NaCl were mixed in with several soil samples from Qin Mausoleum complex pits. The samples were artificially aged in the climate chamber. Then a digital field microscope was used to explore the damage caused by the salts. Results show that salt expansion will suddenly increase when the salt content becomes higher than 0.1%. The data and the method used provided useful information for further preventive conservation measures at earthen sites.

Abstract:HanYangling is China’s first underground museum having a constant temperature and humidity. Nevertheless, a layer of hydrated calcium sulphate(CaSO₄·2H₂O)has appeared on the surface of the site. Based on longterm monitoring data of Pit 13, including the environmental temperature and humidity,evaporation, the soluble salts at the site and groundwater, the appearance of the calcium sulphate layer is tried to be understood.Pit 13 has a yearround environmental humidity of around 100%; the site surface temperature is higher than the dew point. Since water molecules in the air can not be transformed to liquid water on the soil surface and return to the soil, the concentration of soil solutions increases when the soil moisture evaporates. As a result, the ions in the soil reacts with each other until white calcium sulfate (CaSO₄·2H₂O) appears on the surface of the site.

Abstract:In order to study the stability of hydraulic lime at the Helankou rock painting site, rocks from the site were used as test objects, applied hydraulic lime and epoxy resin to reinforce the test rock, and the resistance of the rocks were tested, for example, by cycles of freezing and thawing,heating and cycles of high and low temperatures.The results show that the hydraulic lime has good heat resistance in comparison with epoxy resin. However, the hydraulic lime was not stable to freezing and thawing and would peel off during the test.

Abstract:Cultural relics collected in museums in Sichuan Province were extensively affected by the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake. The damage taught valuable lessons. Three years were spent on gathering information about the various causes of damage:getting questionnaire material about damaged relics, doing field investigations and verification, and analyzing data. A statistical report is presented on the state of damage of those affected relics as well as their methods of display and the environment (both microenvironment and macroenvironment)of restoration.It is hoped to provide information related to the protection of cultural relics during earthquakes and to help conservators and curators to be aware of how relics can be damaged during an earthquake.

Abstract:The excavation and protection of ancient wood has become a significant research field in modern archaeology research. Using the Hai Menkou site as an example, fluorescence and polarization microscopy were used to analyze wood anatomy, to evaluate the level of decay in ancient wood, as well as the feasibility of reinforcement methods. The decay of ancient conifer wood could initially be divided into four levels. In comparison with natural resins, a phenolic resin was more effective for reinforcing and supporting the cell wall skeleton.

Abstract:In order to learn more about the causes and state of preservation of cremation ironware having special shapes, scanning electron microscopy, stereo microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and a residual chlorine meter were used to analyze archaeological ironware excavated from the Yunfeng reservoir of Liangmin, Jilin Province,and its environment. The results show that the special shapes formed during the fire cremation. The iron in the ironware body turned to hematite and became more stable. However, it also became harder and brittle after heating, and its mechanical strength weakened. The high temperature not only changed the mechanical properties of the ironware, but also added a greyish blueblack color effect to its surface. The uniform porous microstructure made the ironware surface dry and rough. This research is valuable for the preservation of refired ironware and for the funeral customs study.

Abstract:In order to facilitate the construction of Shannxi Aerospace Industrial Park, a group of Han dynasty tombs were excavated by the Fengxiyuan archaeological team of the Shaanxi Province Archaeological Institute in 2008.A bronze clepsydra was found in pit K4. A lot of information was obtained during the process of conservation, restoration and microscopic observation of the bronze clepsydra.This research helped to control the powdery rust and to uncover some attachments left on the object. What are these attachments? What is the relationship between these attachments and the clepsydra? How did the clepsydra keep time? This article discusses these questions. This research has provided useful information with regard to Western Han dynasty customs, social etiquette, funeral system and the technology available for measuring time.

Abstract:In 1977,0 bronze axes were found in Potou ,Yunlong county ,Yunnan province. Archaeologists determined that these ancient bronze axes were temporaryily buried and range in age from the late Warring States Period to the Western Han dynasty. The diversity of bronze axes at Potou has been examined in relation to western Yunnan plateau and the ancient Ailao bronze culture. In order to reveal technical characteristics of the bronze axes, 16 bronze axes were analyzed by metallurgical examination, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and Xray Fluorescence(XRF).The bronze axes investigated are mostly CuSn binary alloys, but alloys such as CuAs were alsofound. Most of the bronze axes were made by hot and cold forging, and the others by casting. All bronze axes analyzed by SEMEDS occur as copper sulfides and ironcopper sulfides. The preliminary results carry important implications for understanding ancient Ailao metal technology and will make it possible to study ancient Ailao bronze culture.

Abstract:Issues surrounding the origin and evolution of Qingbai glazed Porcelain have attracted the attention of numerous scholars. In this paper, systematic analyses of typology and colorimetry on early Qingbai glazed porcelain objects unearthed from Tongluoshan kiln and Daotangli kiln in Jingdezhen area were carried out the sites, considered as the earliest Qingbai glazed porcelain relics,were excavated in 2006. It has been found that most of the early Qingbai glazed porcelains are more similar to the white porcelains, rather than typical Qingbai glazed porcelains, implying that early Qingbai glazed porcelains from Jingdezhen are imitation products of white porcelains of the Ding kiln. The results show clear manufacturing features of early Qingbai glazed porcelains and make important contributions to research on the origin and evolution of Qingbai glazed porcelains in the Jingdezhen Area.

Abstract:The Yaozhou kiln,as a representative production site for ancient Chinese northern celadon, occupies an important position in the history of the development of Chinese porcelain. By further study of thermal luminescence (TL) characteristics of Yaozhou kiln porcelain, the accuracy of TL dating of Yaozhou porcelain was improved. This study tested 16 Yaozhou porcelain. The predose saturation index method was applied to measure the paleodose of Yaozhou kiln porcelain. The thick source counting method was applied to measure the α counts of porcelain body and buried soil samples and X ray fluorescence was used to measure K content. The annual dose of every sample was measured. TL characteristic parameters and procedures were optimized for measurement of Yaozhou porcelain samples. The annual geographic environmental dose of theYaozhou kiln was obtained. All of these measures will reduce the amount of sample needed in the future. The study provides effective scientific basis and methods for better research and authentication of Yaozhou kiln porcelain.

Abstract:By using photomicrograph imaging, UV imaging, polarized light microscopy, Xray fluorescence (XRF), Xray powder diffraction (XRD), as well as scanning electron microscopy with Xray microanalysis (SEMEDS), ancient pigment samples taken from the Buddha statues unearthed in Jingchuan County, Gansu Province were analyzed. The samples came from Northern Wei Status(#87), a Sui dynasty Buddha head (#99), a Song Dynasty Buddha head (#54) and two fragmented Buddha statues. Results show that cinnabar was used on the Northern Wei and Sui Dynasty objects, while iron oxide red was used on the statue dated to the Song dynasty; malachite was used as the green pigment on statues dated to the Northern Wei and Sui dynasties. The white pigment was calcium carbonate. Carbon black was used to paint eyes. With regard to identified pigments from the fragmented statue, it is concluded that its manufacturing period is not later than the middle of the Tang dynasty. UV fluorescence in the white substrate layer indicated the possible existence of an organic binder. As for elemental analysis, lead was extensively detected by XRF and EDS. However, no lead based pigments were found by XRD. The same result was reported in an earlier study of wallpaintings excavated in Guanzhong. Whether the lead is related to the polychrome technique is still a question and requires more investigation.

Abstract:In this paper, stereo microscopy, polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Xray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, laser particle size analysis and wet chemical analysis were used to characterize the rammed earthen foundation unearthed in the Shang city at Zhengzhou. The research suggests that:the rammed earthen foundation has two layers:an upper and a lower layer. The upper layer contains rammed limeearth and the lower is rammed bare earth. The rammed limeearth (upper) layer has manmade calcium carbonate as a binding material and sand as aggregated material. The binding/aggregate ratio is 1∶2.68. These results show that the rammed limeearth is a sort of concrete soil composed of calcium carbonate and quartz. The B/A ration is close to that of the Ming Dynasty one(lime/earth/sand 1∶1∶1). This suggested that craftsmen of the Shang Dynasty had some excellent architectural skills.

Abstract:The fishshaped jade ornament is an important category in the history of ancient Chinese jades. Prehistoric fishshaped ornament jades have seldom been unearthed in China. However, a fishshaped ornament from the Hongshan culture was found at the Nasitai Site in Bairin Right Banner, Inner Mongolia.The material used to make this object is a matter of debate because there is little scientific data available. Portable Raman spectroscopy and portable Xray fluorimetry were used to determine the jade composition of the fishshaped ornament. These studies suggest that the ornamentis composed of fluorite. This is the only jade from prehistoric northern China determined by scientific methods to be fluorite. The results in comparison with several reports on fluorite jades unearthed from prehistoric sites in southern China were discussed .The discussion is mainly on the material and the shape and carving techniques.

Abstract:This research reviews journal articles published on the China Academic Journals Fulltext Database (CNKI) journals from 2000 to 2014 on the study and application of gels as a conservation material for cultural relics. Bibliometric methods were used to analyze the data in journal articles for different factors, such as publication year, authors, organizations, funds, etc. This paper focuses mainly on the current research status and application of traditional binding materials and modern polymer binding materials that have been applied to cultural relics, including adhesion, consolidation and protective(surface protection) materials. Meanwhile, a quantitative analysis was done on the major conservation materials, trying to find the key, hot points in the binding material research area and to discuss trends.

Abstract:Terahertz technology, with superb penetration, nonionizing and femto second timeresolved features, is very suitable for nondestructive analysis and in situ detection of culture heritage objects. Research on applications of terahertz technology in the art conservation field over the past several years have been reviewed. It is summarized terahertz spectroscopy and imaging in material analysis and the detection of internal structures in objects of cultural heritage. This work reveals a broad array of applications in the field of culture heritage, providing a reference for the development of terahertz technology for the nondestructive analysis of artwork in China.

Abstract:Photobased modeling technology means using digital photos to build a 3D model. Constructing 3D models from digital photos using Agisoft Photoscan is quite favorable compared with other software in terms of low cost, simple operation as well as automatic modeling processes.With Agisoft Photoscan, 3D models of archaeological sites can be reconstructed from digital photos of features and stratigraphy during excavations on the basis of authentic documentation and much original excavated information. Therefore, excavated sites in various stages can be constructed and digital information about the cultural remains can be restored permanently, providing good material for overall research and virtual exhibition later on. In this paper, 3D models of a small structure in front of the Dingding Gate Site Museum were built and those of an excavated tomb were illustrated how photobased 3D modeling technology can reconstruct cultural remains and archaeological features. Because of its highlyefficient ability to collect data and to quickly make 3D digital models, as well as its simple operation, Agisoft Photoscan can be widely adopted and applied in archaeology.