Abstract:The Erlonghu site represents the most northern city of the Yan State during the Warring States period. Metallographic study on the iron objects unearthed from the Erlonghu site reveals technological information about the types of iron at the site. Various iron objects tested include a Jue(similar to the axe), belt buckle, sickle, knife, chisel, pickaxe, sword and ring nail. They are all shaped by casting.The iron types studied include mottled cast iron, white cast iron, grey cast iron, ductile cast iron(acquired by decarburization annealing after casting), as well as spheroidal graphite particles. This work deepens the knowledge of the properties of metal tools, connotations of metal culture, iron and steel technology, as well as the relationships between the northeast and the central plains regions during the Warring States period.

Abstract:The twelve water animal sculptures around the inside of the Pan(water vessel) of Zi Zhong Jiang can circle around 360° without being detached. The piece represents an extraordinary example of bronze fabrication craftsmanship. In order to unveil the unique techniques used for its construction, computed tomography(CT) technology was applied to study the structure of the connection between the main body of the vessel and the water animal sculptures, namely the scrambling dragon decoration over the rim of the mouth, the tigershaped legs and the handles. The results show that the water animal sculptures are connected to the Pan thanks to two types of rotational axes:one is a cylinder with cap piece,and the other has a cylindrical lower part, a protruding disc form in the middle, and a cone top coinciding with the cavity inside the spine of the animal sculpture. The scrambling dragons and tigershaped legs were cast separately with protruding rods as castin inserts, which permit invisible and firm junctions to the vessel. By contrast, the solid handles were cast together with the vessel. As revealed by the XCT analysis of the Pan of Zi Zhong Jiang, the ancient Chinese artisans successfully made innovative use of the excellent mouldcasting techniques learnt from their predecessors. From an aesthetical point of view, this design concept has given the vessel a complicated yet harmonious aspect; and the attention paid to practicality and convenience has led to a reasonable and intelligent fabrication strategy. Precise determination of the complicated internal structure of the vessel has also demonstrated that the XCT technology can be widely applied in the studying of ancient bronze techniques.

Abstract:An exceptional finding in 2013 was four wooden pattern looms excavated from a Han dynasty tomb at Laoguanshan, Chengdu. These looms date back to the second half of second century B.C. Each loom has a toothed beam with two tenons which can carry the hook beam moving in warp direction and stop at a certain position to select a pattern shaft. One loom has two sliding frames. When one side the axle treadle held by the front poles, the other side turns up to push two sliding frames in the slotted roles upwards. The hook beam on the top is also pushed up by two frames. The other three loom models have hook rods on either side. When the weaver steps on one side of the axle treadle, the other side pushes the hook rods upwards, and the hooks lift the pattern shaft. After careful examination of both types of loom, it is found that the sliding frames power transmission loom could been used to weave longer patterns, while the two hookrods loom could make it easier to weave but produce a shorter pattern. These two types of loom are the earliest examples of looms in China. They represent the knowledge and creativity of ancient Chinese people.

Abstract:Traditionally,decayed ancient timber columns are stabilized using the “Dunjie” method, which involves wrapping the column with iron bands. To test the validity of the method, a timber column from an ancient building in the Forbidden City was selected as example for research. Four models were built, some of which had decayed bottoms, and were strengthened by iron bands according to the Dunjie method. Axial compression tests were carried out. Parameters such as forcedisplacement curves, ductility, strain and vertical stiffness of the models were obtained to test the results.The mechanism of strengthening by the Dunjie method was also considered. The results show that the ultimate compression strength of the strengthened columns can be restored to about 91.8% that of the undecayed column, their ductility can be restored to about 95.2%, and their compressive strain can be restored to about 97.2% in horizontal direction and 84.1% in vertical direction. The vertical stiffness values of the strengthened columns are larger than that of the unreinforced, undecayed column. So far as integrity is concerned, the strengthened columns are not as good as the undecayed column because of the difference in strength between iron and timber. Thus the strengthening capability of the traditional Dunjie method is limited.

Abstract:Hancheng Dayu temple was built in 1301 and rebuilt in 1579. The top of the caisson shrine was painted with a total of 168 painted cells. The colors of the painted flowers and birds are very bright. The paintings have high historical and cultural value.In recent years, due to environmental effects, a large area of the painting suffered from severe deterioration including peeling, pollution, warping, bubbling, tearing, embrittlement and other diseases. The caisson itself was in danger of destruction. Without rescue repair, the caisson painting might disappear forever.Based on research and disease analysis, deacidification and pigment reinforcement methods using appropriate conservation materials were developed. A simulation paper was treated and the intensity and folding endurance characteristics of the simulated paper sample before and after reinforcement, aging and deacidification were tested. The results showed that the deacidification agent is capable of maintaining the original appearance of the caisson drawing;that the color and texture of the case, and that the protection of the physical properties of each caisson drawing was improved greatly after the treatment. The deacidification and reinforcement greatly extended the life of the caisson. This research provides a scientific basis for repairing the painted Hancheng Dayu Temple caisson.

Abstract:It is very expensive and very difficult to construct 3D models of big and tall immovable cultural relics such as brick towers. Taking multiview photographs from an unmanned plane and from the ground was employed to construct 3D models of brick towers in the Wanrong county of Shanxi Province. The technology generated orthophotographic maps of every faces of the brick tower, and then recorded their height, width etc. This research demonstrated a new method used to construct 3D models for large, immovable cultural relics.

Abstract:In order to protect the heritage of the ancient Qinshu Roads, a variety of surveying and mapping technologies were applied to investigate and survey this cultural heritage site.Remotesensing satellite images of the area were collected and organized by using a fixedwing unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) and a tilt rotorcraft UAV to get photogrammetry information. Terrestrial threedimensional laser scanning technology was also used to gather other space information data. Finally, a geographic information system(GIS) was employed to build virtual geographic information space, so as to realize 3dimensional visualization of the remains of the Qinshu Roads. Using the GIS software, both processing and query functions describing the spatial data of the ancient Qinshu Roads were completed. This work provides information for the research and conservation of the ancient Qinshu Roads.

Abstract:In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was used on collagen extracted from an unclearly classified pig bone sample from the Pingfengshan shell midden site in Xiapu County. The δ¹³C value of this sample was determined as -12.2‰, and the δ¹⁵N value 4.9‰. The value of carbon isotope ratio indicates that the food consumed by the pig contained both C₃ and C₄ plants, but mainly C₄ plants. The nitrogen isotope ratio shows that the pig was less carnivorous and of a lower trophic level. However, the value of δ¹⁵N is still higher than the contrast group of wild boars and wild terrestrial mammals. Based on comprehensive study, it is argued that the feeding of the pig depended on human supply to some extent, thus the pig was likely to have been cultivated. Meanwhile, the C₄ plant sources in the pig’s food structure suggest that millet farming may have existed at the site.

Abstract:Energy dispersive Xray fluorescence(EDXRF) was used to analyze the chemical components of fine white porcelain shards collected from the Liao Zhongjing Site in Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, China.The principal components of the fine white porcelain shards were compared with those of Ding and Longquanwu Kilns. 67% of the white porcelain shards analyzed had compositions similar to those made in Ding kilns during the 10th~11th centuries. The results suggest there was an exchange in trade and cultural communication between Liao and Song Dynasties. Some rammed earth remains in the city site can date back to as early as the late Liao Dynasty or early Jin Dynasty. The results provide a scientific basis for conservation of the Liao Zhongjing Site.

Abstract:There are still many earthen ruins in the Northwestern China. Various kinds of damage, including fissuring, undercutting, caves, gullies and collapse, are great threats to the ruins. This paper focuses on the successful application of the PS-(C+F) materials and diverse grouting materials. The suitability of SH-(C+F) as a slurry grouting material was tested. The mechanical properties, hydrological properties, frost resistance, aging resistance of two indoor materials were compared.Also the effect of consolidation of cracks on the site was recorded. The results show that both SH-(C+F) slurry and PS-(C+F) have the same mechanical properties, but the former is slightly better for resistance due to permeability,disintegration, frost and aging. Therefore,SH-(C+F) is suitable as a slurry grouting material to reinforce fissured earthen sites. These results have important reference and guidance values for selecting reinforcing materials for fissured earthen sites in Northwestern China.

Abstract:There are many fine ornamentations and inscriptions on lacquer wares, which are materials for research on ancient culture. When lacquer wares are unearthed from tombs, they are often watersaturated, rotten and deformed. The bodies of some lacquer wares are entirely corroded, with only paint films being left. These lacquer wares can’t be restored. On the basis of previous research, a new protection method has been proposed. After shaping and dehydrating, the lacquer ware can use tissue paper as a supporting core. Shellac varnish was used as the binding material. Perspex sheets with magnets were used to fix the object. It turned out that the paint films were very well protected. More than 60 paint films were protected using this protection method. It can provide reference for future research on methods of protection of paint lacquer films.

Abstract:The Potala Palace has been struck by lightning several times since its establishment. In order to reduce the great losses caused by lightning induced fires, it is necessary to analyze lightningcaused fires scientifically to minimize possible risk. In order to comprehensively analyze the entire process of fires caused by lightning strikes on the Potala Palace, the “fault tree” method were used to analyze multiple causes and processes of fire caused by lightning strikes. The minimal cut sets, the minimal path sets and structure importance of the essential event are given and discussed. Finally, lightning activity regularity in Lhasa area was also analyzed. The results show that there are 308 possible ways to cause fires. Prevention of fires induced by lightning strikes in the Potala Palace is a sophisticated project. The key is to improve defense ability against lightning, such as to eliminate hidden troubles, to install surge protection devices and to practice equipotential bonding.

Abstract:Through site visits, telephone interviews and email feedback, the preservation environment of museum collections in the Guangdong area was surveyed. The survey results show that most Guangdong local cultural units do not have storage rooms that meet the technical requirements required for the safety of the cultural relics collection. Leaks, moisture, mildew, moths and other problems exist. All these are extremely bad for protection of objects of cultural heritage interest. In order to solve these problems, given the Guangdong climate environment and the needs of the cultural relics collection, two suggestions are given:one is to establish a centralized warehouse for storage; the other is to set up devices that will provide automatic control of the humidity levels in the microenvironment.

Abstract:The technique of threedimensional modeling not only can help archaeologists display ruins, but also saves antiques’ spatial information more completely in variable timesequence.It can provide various materials for following analysis. In this paper, a multiview 3D model of a bronze tripod, as an example, was reconstruted by applying the multiview threedimensional reconstruction technique. A coordinate system established by setting control points can help extract contour lines and generate orthophotos and profile drawings.

Abstract:Focusing on salt damage mechanisms, domestic and foreign research progress,were reviewed and three issues were proposed to be paid more attention in the future research.Salt damage is a key yet a very difficult topic in cultural heritage protection.The occurrence and development of salt damage to siliceous objects of cultural heritage are closely related to the type and the content of the primary soluble salts, the microstructure of the heritage object itself,environmental and meteorological changes, etc.Taking earthen sites and pottery relics as examples, the regular pattern of salt migration was probed. The physicochemical property of the cultural heritage object’s matrix, the environmental status, material composition, disease investigation, salt composition, salt migration, capillary adsorption, crystal destruction and soluble salt precipitation distribution, etc were reviewed. Several salt damage mechanisms and regular pattern are summarized.The current theory of crystal growth in pores has been further developed to include the thermodynamics of real salt solutions. In siliceous cultural heritage objects, due to the fact that the salt distribution is extremely broad and that prevailing environmental conditions vary widely, the causes of salt damage are complex and varied. Furthermore,external salt damage manifests itself in all kinds of strange ways, so that the repair is extremely difficult, and the probability of recurrence after repair is very high.Current research results cannot explain all the complex, everchanging salt damage phenomena. Therefore, learning how to construct suitable methods that can effectively protect cultural heritage objects is a very urgent work.