Abstract:Considering the huge quantity, poor storage conditions and severe acidification of neoteric and modern paper literature in China, we sought to optimize the existing deacidification technologies of Nanjing Museum, and to integrate aquatic solution deacidification, microwave drying and freeze-drying technologies massively. At least 30 books were deacidified in each batch. After deacidification, the pH values and alkaline reserves were both improved and the paper shrinkage rate was controllable. A preliminary system that incorporates both the technology and demonstration of it for massive deacidification has been created in order to provide technical support for the conservation of the huge amount of neoteric and modern paper literature.

Abstract:The properties of soybean water vary according to temperature. In order to compare the effects of soybean water heated to different temperatures on Xuan paper, soybean water of 25 ℃, 50 ℃, 80 ℃ and 95 ℃ respectively was prepared and applied to the surfaces of Xuan paper. Various properties of Xuan paper such as pH value, resistance to ink blending, color difference induced by thermal aging, folding resistance and tensile strength were compared before and after soybean water sizing. In addition, the influence of alum-gelatin solution and soybean water on traditional Chinese painting pigments such as scarlet red, anthocyanin and gamboge etc., were investigated in terms of color saturation and hue. The microstructure of paper fibers and chemical bonding between soybean water and paper fibers were revealed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The results show that 1) Xuan paper treated with soybean water is weakly alkaline regardless of the soybean water heating temperature; 2) Xuan paper treated with soybean water of 80 ℃, 95 ℃, 50 ℃ and 25 ℃ has resistance to ink blending in descending order; 3) Xuan paper treated with either alum-gelatin solution or soybean water turns yellow during thermal aging, but yellowing is less with soybean water; 4) Xuan paper treated with heated soybean water has better performance in folding resistance and tensile strength test; 5) soybean water not only encases the fibers of Xuan paper, but also consolidates the structure by crosslinking the fibers; 6) temperature rise causes oil to separate from soybeans and polysaccharide decompose into monosaccharide; 7) soybean protein forms hydrogen bonds with paper fiber, thus improving the water resistance of paper. Therefore, soybean water could play a remarkable role in the repairing and restoration of calligraphy and painting.

Abstract:Unearthed painted pottery is fragile and thus difficult to preserve. In our study, gelatin and waterborne fluorocarbon were selected as reinforcement materials for wet painted pottery. Painted pottery shards having four kinds of color were reinforced using different concentrations of these materials. The strength, color and glossiness of the changes were tested and compared. The results show that the ideal concentration of gelatin is around 1%, and that of the waterborne fluorocarbon is around 20%. Experiments comparing reinforcements were implemented on two types of painted pottery (with and without a bottom layer) as well. It is found that 1) for gelatin, the appearance changes of the painted pottery with a bottom layer are relatively smaller than those without a bottom layer after reinforcement and aging; 2) for waterborne fluorocarbon, the appearance changes are similar after reinforcement only, but the results are reversed after aging. In a practical application, we used gelatin and waterborne fluorocarbon to reinforce three pieces of wet painted pottery unearthed from Xuyi County and achieved effective results.

Abstract:China has many outdoor brick cultural relics which are suffering severely from problems caused by salt damage. With a view to understanding the failure mechanism caused by soluble salts, and overcoming the problem, we have developed a two-component inorganic reinforcement material. The reinforcement method is alternate dropping of barium hydroxide solution in methanol and oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) solution in ethanol and simulating typical environments of distribution of soluble salts [sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄)]. The operating steps accomplish both reinforcement and desalination. We tracked the flowing and conversion of salts by means of various modern scientific methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microcopy (SEM)-Mapping and wireless damping anti-drillers. The final results show that this procedure can not only reinforce samples, but is also able to irreversibly convert Na₂SO₄ (the most destructive salt) to BaSO₄ (the main component of barite). Reinforcement and desalination can be accomplished simultaneously. In summary, this new method has great application potential.

Abstract:Several modifications were studied to improve the efficiency of traditional soaking methods for desalination of porcelains found in undersea environments. Conductivity testing, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing and qualitative analysis using silver nitrate were performed to see the effects. The results show that these modifications can improve the porcelain desalination efficiency to a certain extent, primarily by taking less time needed.

Abstract:High-fidelity imaging is a key technique for digital protection of Dunhuang murals. Based on previous studies, we developed color charts and studied color management of digital imaging for Dunhuang murals. In terms of visual effects, our results show that the Dunhuang mural color charts we developed are superior to the standard Macbeth ColorChecker color charts based on subjective comparative evaluation under the same photo-shooting conditions. In addition, other results also show that the Dunhuang mural color charts can function well in color calibration under different illumination or color-bias conditions.

Abstract:Well-known as the source of an elixir in ancient China, Ganoderma lucidum (the lingzhi mushroom) also provides important clues in contemporary studies to the origins of traditional Chinese medicine. Since remains suspected to be those of Ganoderma lucidum are often discovered in archaeological sites, their identification has become a focus of much research. Traditionally, Ganoderma lucidum is identified by its appearance and the observation of spores. However, sometimes these two methods are not practical because ancient Ganoderma lucidum remains cannot be kept intact easily and the workload is quite heavy. In order to identify Ganoderma lucidum remains more efficiently, we conducted micro-CT imaging and 3D reconstruction of Ganoderma lucidum remains unearthed from Tianluoshan Site. The reconstructed images, compared with standards, showed conclusive identification of the Ganoderma lucidum body, demonstrating a new method for the identification of ancient Ganoderma lucidum remains. Differing from the traditional method of appearance contrast, 3D reconstruction is not only fast and convenient, but also not affected by the appearance of remains. Therefore, this method can also provide reference for the identification of other ancient plants with characteristic structures.

Abstract:In order to better preserve cultural relics in the environment of the northwest region where the seasons are distinct and climate changes are sometimes drastic, we investigated the architectural design, ventilation, presence of aerosols and conservation environment of Pit No.1 in the open Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Museum, and then compared these factors with those of the enclosed Han Yangling Museum. It was found that the completely enclosed building of Han Yangling Mausoleum has relatively constant temperature and humidity, and the obvious advantage of blocking outdoor pollutants; however, it still does not entirely stop the seasonal fluctuations of temperature and humidity as well as infiltration of outdoor air pollutants. Furthermore, the occurrence of indoor pollution, moisture condensation inside glass enclosures and the appearance of alkali on large areas of cultural relics have to be prevented as well. Therefore, suitable ways still need to be explored to preserve cultural relics of site areas, not only maintaining the relative stability of temperature and humidity, and cleanliness of the preservation environment of the cultural relics, but also alleviating the common issues of enclosed buildings mentioned above, so as to prolong as much as possible the life of ruins and cultural relics, and to meet the demands of visitors.

Abstract:Organic cultural relics such as Chinese paintings and calligraphy, ancient books, archives, textiles and lacquerware stored in museums often suffer from fungal contamination. In order to investigate fungal contamination of such cultural relics and to find effective methods to inhibit biodeterioration, we sampled, cultivated, isolated and identified fungi from some cultural relics and packaging boxes in four antique storerooms, using microscopic observation and molecular biological methods. Fourteen fungal strains were isolated from the cultural relic surfaces. Six genera, namely, Chaetomium, Malbranchea, Aspergillus, Peyronellaea, Comoclathris and Cladosporium, were identified by morphological observation and molecular biological methods. Chaetomium was the most prevalent, followed by Aspergillus. Most of these fungi can not only cause severe aesthetical damage to cultural relics, but also alter their material structures. Therefore, it is urgent that effective preventative and protective measures be taken. In this regard, the experimental results from this study could provide a scientific basis for related work in the future.

Abstract:There are a variety of microbes in the air of museums, some of which are harmful and could be threats to cultural relics and tourists. Studies of indoor airborne microbes in museums have been carried out at home and abroad. Our study is aimed at studying the concentration and population distribution of airborne fungi in the cultural relic exhibition environment of Jingzhou Museum, and investigating potential harmful microorganisms. The natural sedimentation method was used for airborne fungal sampling in three showcases and their respective exhibition halls. Using standard methods, purified fungal colonies were identified according to morphological and molecular criteria; and the distribution characteristics of airborne fungal populations were also analyzed. The results show that the concentration range of airborne fungi in the exhibition halls is 17~74 CFU/m³ while that in the showcases is 12~21 CFU/m³. The concentrations of fungi in the bronze and wood lacquer showcases are significantly lower than those in their corresponding exhibition halls (P＜0.05); however, there is no great difference in concentration between the textile showcase and the exhibition hall where it is located (P＞0.05). A total of 19 different fungal genera were discovered. Eight fungal genera were isolated from the air in the showcases and 17 from the air in the exhibition halls. Cladosporium and Leptosphaeria, the dominant genera, accounted for 24.76% and 22.86% of the total, respectively. Cladosporium commonly exists in both the exhibition halls and the showcases; Leptosphaeria is mainly found in the exhibition halls; Oospora and Alternaria are unique fungi discovered in the showcases only. In general, for Jingzhou Museum, the exhibition halls feature higher concentrations and richer species of airborne fungi than the showcases, with the wood lacquer exhibition hall having the highest and richest. In June and July, temperatures and humidity of museum exhibition halls and showcases are conducive to the growth of airborne fungi. In suitable circumstances, Cladosporium and Leptosphaeria can grow easily on a large scale and harm both cultural relics and human health; therefore, measures should be taken to disinfect the air. These results have practical significance in terms of knowing the situations of air pollution of museums as well as ensuring the health of tourists and safety of cultural relics.

Abstract:In order to elucidate the pigment compositions and technologies used for the painted statues in the Lotus Cave of the Thousand-Buddha Cliff in Guangyuan, we conducted phase and component analyses using stereomicroscopy, metallographic microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The analyses show that pigments of the Lotus Cave statues were applied directly to stone surfaces without a preparation layer. The statues have multiple layers (up to at least three layers) of pigments, which indicate that the statues had been repainted at least twice in the past. The red pigment is made from hematite and cinnabar, the blue pigment from lazurite and azurite, the green pigment from malachite and atacamite, and the white pigment from anglesite. Raman spectroscopy is particularly useful for pigment analysis due to its high accuracy and requirement for very small samples, making it almost non-destructive. The results obtained on painting materials and technologies from the Lotus Cave statues provide scientific evidence for related conservation research.

Abstract:In order to investigate materials and the states of preservation of polychrome layers on fifteen ceramics unearthed from Tombs M17 and M19 of the Eastern Han Dynasty at Feijiacun Village in Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, we conducted analyses using a variety of methods, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The results show that 1) red lead was used as a pigment on six ceramics unearthed from Tomb M17, the presence of lead carbonate (PbCO₃) in the red lead pigment indicating that discoloration of some of the red lead have occurred due to the burial environment; 2) cinnabar and iron oxide were used as pigments on ceramics unearthed from Tomb M19, and five ceramics thereof were decorated with lacquer; and 3) as determined by SEM, the rim of three ceramics from Tomb M19 has a tin oxide layer resulting from oxidation of the original metallic tin; and according to literature research, tin amalgam is a possible decorating method for rims of the ceramics in our study. The results may provide a basis for further understandings of the ceramics.

Abstract:In our study, in order to determine a more accurate method for measuring the color of ancient textile relics, we used a specialized color measuring instrument to extract color data from the images of fabrics using image-capturing technology, and then checked and verified the data through auxiliary color cards. L*a*b*, RGB and CMYK data are then exported and recorded in the form of text and images. This procedure can 1) help record color information on ancient textile relics in a more scientific way and standardize digital management of data in a way that will aid further research; 2) provide accurate digitized records for replication or imitation of ancient textile relics, which is conducive to cultural communication and 3) provide accurate data for printing and media promotion of traditional textiles so as to reveal actual colors. We hope this way of recording colors will contribute to the protection and display of ancient textile relics, and other innovative applications.

Abstract:The neolithic Chengtoushan Site has attracted much attention since its discovery, and, formerly, researchers used to study the site in terms of typology and environmental archaeology. To reveal the evolution of man-earth relationships of Chengtoushan Site during its over two thousand years of development, we conducted statistical description and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the column holes of housing sites at Chengtoushan Site by means of quantitative archaeology. Combining our research results with those of environmental archaeological studies, we find a trend that the diameters of column holes at Chengtoushan Site changed over time. This trend probably reflects a continuous increase or sharp decrease in population of Chengtoushan Site would affect the man-earth relationships of tree growth cycle.

Abstract:In this paper, we provide a statistical analysis of research projects from 1990 to 2016 focused on the protection of stone cultural relics and approved by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). We analyze the academic trajectory of such research from the aspects of time distribution, type distribution, discipline, supporting institution and research team, etc., of funded projects. In addition, we discuss the key points and hotspots concerning the protection of stone relics in China in terms of research area, research direction and construction of research teams, and also make some pertinent suggestions. This paper provides a reference for relevant researchers toward understanding basic research directions related to protection of stone cultural relics.