Abstract:Leather cultural relics, made of animal skins, are treasures left by human beings in the process of understanding and transforming nature. These relics are meaningful historical materials that could be used to study the ancient society and history. Leather is a natural organic polymer material, the main component of which—collagen—is susceptible to denaturation and deterioration depending on the environment of its preservation. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the microstructure of collagen for understanding the deterioration of ancient leather. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) technology is often used to study protein structures based on the principle that the unstable hydrogen atoms in proteins are exchanged with deuterium atoms, but its application to the study of the structure of ancient leather collagen has not been reported. In our study, HDX technology and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry were used to analyze and compare the triple helix structure of the collagen in modern, artificially-aged and ancient leather. The changes of the collagen microstructure were characterized by the position of the characteristic absorption peak and the deuteration rate. The results show that the triple helix structure in modern leather collagen is intact, and it is difficult for deuterium atoms to enter and be exchanged with amino hydrogen atoms in the main chain, with the deuteration rate being 32.09%. However, during the deterioration of artificially-aged and ancient leather, the solvent accessibility of the amide hydrogen in the main chain of collagen increased, the hydrogen bond formed by the amide hydrogen changed, and the hydrogen bond maintaining the stable triple helix structure was broken. The triple helix structure was disintegrated to a certain extent and glycine at the center of the helix structure was exposed, increasing the solvent accessibility of the amide hydrogen in the main chain and the triple helix structure became loose and unstable. The hydrogen-deuterium exchange rate was accelerated and the hydrogen-deuterium exchangereaction was more likely to occur. Among the three ancient leather samples, the deuteration rate of old3 is 65.87%, which was the lowest, and the triple helix structure in old3 is the least damaged and the least deteriorated. Compared with the previously reported literature about the research on protein structure by hydrogen-deuterium exchange, our study expands in the following aspects:First, it is pointed out that the amino hydrogen in the main chain, especially the amide hydrogen of glycine, is the main object of exchange with deuterium atoms through the analysis of the characteristic structure of collagen; Second, the degree of hydrogen-deuterium exchange is quantified by the position of the characteristic peak and the deuteration rate according to the characteristic that the change of the mass number of corresponding groups after hydrogen-deuterium exchange will lead to the change of stretching vibration frequency, and the amide A band of collagen in Fourier transform infrared spectrometry is selected as the characterization tool of hydrogen-deuterium exchange reaction. The combination of HDX technology and FTIR spectrometry are introduced into our study of the collagen structure of leather cultural relics, which contributes to the deep understanding of the deterioration mechanism of leather cultural relics. It provides a new method and thought for the study of the collagen microstructure and the analysis of the deterioration degree of leather cultural relics.

Abstract:Tomb murals, as an important cultural heritage in China, reflecting brilliant civilizations and ancient sciences and technology, as well as advanced social productive forces at that time, are a typical representative of “living” cultural relics. Conservation research and value interpretation of mural cultural relics are an important part of the national cultural confidence construction strategy. Based on the fragility of the materials and low environmental tolerance of tomb murals, the main conservation methods for tomb murals at present are detachment and relocation, which, however, may lead to the loss of some original information. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a system of information extraction methods for tomb murals, to record surface information, extract hidden information and carry out comprehensive research at archaeological excavation sites from the very beginning of work at the site. We referred to the methods for information extraction of grottoes, architectural murals and archaeological sites, combining the characteristics of tomb murals, knowing that the information extraction of tomb murals was not comprehensive and in-depth. We then studied the information extraction methods for tomb murals using several tomb murals in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Hebei and Ningxia as research objects and thus proposed on-site information excavation methods for tomb murals for the first time. First, means for environmental control were proposed to delay the deterioration of murals according to the environmental monitoring. Second, in combination with photography and spectroscopy, a multi-dimensional image information extraction method was developed to comprehensively and deeply record mural information from macroscopic to microscopic scale, from visible spectral to multi-spectral range. Then, various portable detection devices were used on the premise of scientific selection of interest points, and a research approach was established to effectively obtain the composition of materials and the techniques for making of murals, from surface to inside, from point to area and through focusing on the value of scientific research points. Finally, based on the multiple results above and through observation and instrumental detection, multi-angle and multi-level disease investigations were carried out to obtain the distribution and degree of disease of murals. Moreover, requirements and methods of sampling were proposed for the purpose of research and sample storage. Information extraction of tomb murals at archaeological sites is a key part of on-site conservation and subsequent archaeological research. Large amounts of image resources and data accumulated provide support for mural conservation, important evidence for archaeological research and a scientific basis for exploration of mural value. It has greatly improved archaeologists’ attention to on-site information extraction and promoted interdisciplinary integration. This study makes up for the lack of systematic methods for extraction of information from tomb murals, provides technical support for the development of the industry and plays a role in realizing the effective conservation of mural cultural relics.

Abstract:Qinglong Town was built in 746 AD and was the earliest foreign trade center in Shanghai. An archaeological excavation at Qinglong Town in 2012 discovered four furnaces, a large number of casting moulds and slag, etc. It was a foundry site and was used for a long time in the Tang Dynasty. From the cross section of a casting mould, there are three layers:cavity surface layer, interlayer and outer layer. Three layers have different effects. The cavity surface layer ensures a smooth casting surface. The interlayer increases the intensity of moulds and reduces the mould shrinkage and deformation in drying. The outer layer includes a lot of rice husk made for the venting of the mould cavity. The moulds indicate that the foundry workers in Qinglong Town used professional mould making technology. The foundry workers could successfully cast ironware.

Abstract:Yanjiagou Cemetery, located on the boundary of Guanzhong area and northern Shaanxi, features several complicated cultural factors. For the first time, twelve bronze containers unearthed from Yanjiagou Cemetery were analyzed to determine compositions and metallographic structures. The results show that five pieces of the twelve bronze wares were made of red copper, four made of lead-arsenic bronze, two made of arsenic bronze and one made of lead bronze. The twelve bronzes were cast and some bronzes were heat-treated. According to a literature review, the “no tin, high lead and high arsenic” materials of the bronze wares unearthed from Yanjiagou Cemetery are different from those from the Central Plains and northern China. Its own heavy food tradition is very different from other Lijiaya cultural sites in northern Shaanxi, which shows that its own cultural traditions still dominate in some respects at Yanjiagou area. However, special as this phenomenon is, it is still a member of Lijiaya Cultural Sites. The analysis results could provide a reference for the study of the cultural exchange between Guanzhong area and northern Shaanxi during the late Shang Dynasty.

Abstract:One of the most common types of bronze wares during the Bronze Age in the “Southwest Yi” region were bronze bracelets, which have been found in large numbers through archaeological excavations, with shapes and decorations varying from place to place. This ornament is of great value for the study of the art and technology of ancestors in southwest China during the Bronze Age. Previous research on bronze wares in southwest China has focused more on their main types, such as bronze drums and weapons, but there is little thematic research on bronze bracelets. Therefore, the overall knowledge of alloy compositions and technical characteristics of bronze bracelets from various regions of Yunnan is not sufficient. Furthermore, because bracelets are a kind of common ornament, the study of bracelets can more directly reflect archaeological issues such as the control of metal resources and the selection of bronze techniques by different cultural groups. In recent years, archaeological excavations carried out in the area around Changning County of Baoshan in western Yunnan, which is documented to be the main distribution area of the Ailao of the Southwest Yi, have provided scientific and physical materials for the study of the Ailao bronze culture. In order to explore the alloy composition and manufacturing technique of bronze bracelets of the ancient Ailao culture in Changning region and learn more about the technical characteristics of bronze bracelets in different regions of Yunnan, six bronze bracelets unearthed in Changning were analyzed using metallographic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The results show that all the bracelets are tin bronzes containing small amounts of As, S, Sb and other impurity elements. The manufacturing techniques are varied. Some of the bronzes analyzed were cast metal, some pieces were hammered, and others were processed by cold working after being hammered. On this basis, the scientific and technological analysis data of bronze bracelets unearthed in other areas of Yunnan were collected and compared by typology to grasp the differences and connections between the techniques of bronze bracelets in each region. The analysis shows that the bracelets in all parts of Yunnan indicate relatively consistent technical characteristics. Most of them were tin bronze and were made by casting or forging. This reflects the important feature of the Southwest Yi bronze technical system. However, further observations reveal that the alloy compositions and manufacturing techniques of the bronze bracelets show local characteristics, such as the highest and stable tin content of the bronze bracelets from Ailao, while the range of tin content in the bronze bracelets from Dian and Kunming Yi are very discrete. It also shows strong regional characteristics, which may be related to vessel types and natural resources, etc. The innovation of this study is to discuss the commonalities and differences between the techniques used in bronze bracelets excavated in Yunnan in the context of compositional, metallographic, and typological analyses of a less studied bronze category. In a word, as a common body ornament in Yunnan, bronze bracelets not only demonstrate the alloy compositions and manufacturing techniques of ethnic groups in different regions, but also reflect the utilization and control of resources and the aesthetic ideology of the Southwest Yi from a non-utilitarian perspective.

Abstract:The No. 2 Han tomb at Shuangbaoshan of Mianyang, Sichuan Province, a tomb of the early and middle Western Han Dynasty, was excavated in 1995 and is the largest wooden-coffin tomb ever found in Sichuan Province. Despite early grave-robbing, still unearthed were more than 1,000 relics, among which eight pieces of a silver-threaded jade suit and an honor guard composed of a large number of lacquered horses, equestrian figurines and chariots unearthed from the tomb indicate the nobility of the tomb owner. Aiming to protect the lacquerware unearthed from the tomb, and the workmanship, we carried out analyses of cross-section morphology, types of pigments and chemical composition and degree of aging of lacquer films of Sample Q1 (a lacquer plate), Sample Q2 (a lacquer flanged cup), Sample Q3 (a lacquer bowl) and Sample Q4 (a lacquered wooden warehouse ) using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry.  FTIR analysis shows that the lacquer film is composed of lacquer and pigments but no tung oil. Cross-section analysis shows that none of the four samples has a lacquer plaster layer. The inside of Sample Q1, Q2 and Q4 are all coated with red lacquer on the surface of a black primer, the inside of Sample Q3 and the outsides of Sample Q1, Q2 and Q3 are all coated with red ornamentation on the surface of a black primer, and the outside of Sample Q4 has only a black primer layer. That is to say, most of the samples have a black primer layer directly painted on the surface of a wooden body, and the black primer is covered by a red lacquer film or ornamentation; only one sample has a black primer without a lacquer film or ornamentation. The red lacquer film has a smooth surface and a more uniform thickness than does the black film. The results of EDS and XRD indicate that the main components of red and black films are cinnabar (HgS) and carbon black, respectively. The above workmanship is different from that of the lacquerware unearthed from Chu area, but is similar with those from Mawangdui M2, Dongshan Tomb in Guangzhou and Fengpengling M1 in Changsha. This illustrates that there might exist a workmanship exchange or product trade between Bashu, Lingnan and Changsha areas. Furthermore, no obvious crack or infrared absorption peak induced by degradation was observed in Sample Q3, indicating a better preservation condition than the others. Compared with previous research on the tomb at Shuangbaoshan, this study focuses more on scientific and technological analyses of cross-section morphology of lacquer samples, pigment and film compositions and aging degrees, etc., revealing the workmanship and preservation conditions of lacquerware from the tomb. Comparison of the workmanship between the tomb at Shuangbaoshan and other different regions could provide evidence for the workmanship exchange or product trade.

Abstract:Organic cultural relics containing sulfur and iron compounds will be subject to biological and chemical erosion during long-term immersion in the ocean. After excavation, these compounds will become unstable in the transition from a low-oxygen marine environment to aerobic air, which may lead to reduction of the mechanical stability of organic cultural relics and their chemical deterioration. At present, most of the ancient shipwrecks salvaged in the world are made of wooden organic materials, among which the most famous are the Vasa in Stockholm, Sweden and the Mary Rose in Portsmouth, England, with their hull wood degraded due to the accumulation of reduced sulfur compounds transformed by sulfate-reducing bacteria in the sea and iron ions (Ⅱ) from corroded iron bolts on the hulls. According to research, several tons of reduced sulfides have accumulated in the hull wood of the Vasa, and about two tons of sulfur or sulfuric acid exists in a hull weighing 280 tons. China’s Huaguangjiao Ⅰ shipwreck of the Southern Song Dynasty has large amounts of ironware. In the process of ship manufacturing, a large number of iron nails were embedded to strengthen the hull. These iron objects may pose hidden dangers to the wooden hull before and after the excavation. In order to protect the Huaguangjiao Ⅰ shipwreck, a batch of samples was selected according to the actual situation to scientifically evaluate the status of the hull, so as to provide a basis for formulating the protection scheme in the next step. In this study, several samples were selected from the hull of Huaguangjiao Ⅰ to determine its moisture content; the molecular structure changes, chemical components, ion content and phase composition of wood samples were analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), an ion chromatograph (IC), an element analyzer, an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) to evaluate its current situation. Through these analyses, it was found that, with an average moisture content of 447.9%, the moisture content of its pine components is generally higher than that of normal modern pine wood. Compared with the hull wood of a Song Dynasty shipwreck (300% moisture content) in Quanzhou Bay and that of Xiaobaijiao Ⅰ(210% moisture content) in Ningbo, the hull components of Huaguangjiao Ⅰ suffer more serious degradation. The extract content by 1% NaOH from Huaguangjiao Ⅰ water-saturated archaeological wood is much higher than that from modern wood, and its average content of total cellulose accounts for only 27% of that of modern wood, indicating that cellulose and hemicellulose have been seriously degraded. The lignin content is increased, and the average ash content is 68 times that of modern pine. It can be seen from the infrared spectrum that compared with modern pine wood, the chemical composition and structure of the archaeological wood of Huaguangjiao Ⅰ have been changed, the hemicellulose has been seriously lost, the cellulose molecular chain has been partially degraded, and the molecular chain crystal structure has been damaged. The concentration of sulfate ion in a wood-soaking solution of Huaguangjiao Ⅰ is high. The content of iron ion according to ICP-OES test results is very high, indicating that the inorganic compounds in wood are mainly iron. In combination with the high concentration of sulfate ion in the soaking solution, this indicates that the iron and sulfur compounds in the hull have not been removed. XRD results confirm the existence of iron and sulfur compounds—pyrite (FeS₂), goethite and sulfate in the hull. According to the literature, the Huaguangjiao Ⅰ shipwreck is a cultural relic found in a tropical area. The conservation and preservation of sulfur- and iron-containing wooden cultural relics salvaged from a warm and salty tropical sea is not only a challenge, but also a new topic. Based on scientific evaluation of the current situation of the Huaguangjiao Ⅰ shipwreck components, it is hard to be optimistic about preservation of the shipwreck, as the degree of wood decay and damage is very serious. This is the key problem that cultural relic conservators must face and solve.

Abstract:Nowadays, more and more attention has been paid to the restoration and conservation of the original mounting of calligraphy and paintings. Grass with Insects and Butterflies Handscroll by Female Painter Yanyan of the Song Dynasty is an important cultural relic collected in Shanghai Museum. Although the mounting is not the original one from the Song Dynasty, it still boasts a history of more than 100 years. Before restoration, the wrapping silk was worn and incomplete, the upper mount incomplete, the joint of the top stave cracked and the backing paper heavily arched. The restoration adopted the scheme of preserving the original appearance of the mounting and improving its defective parts. The wrapping silk and the upper mount were separated and then repaired and restored. The “approach bridge” paper was removed to improve the current situation of arching. In order to improve the strength of the old material, the edge of the original wrapping silk was covered with bark paper. After the repair, the wrapping silk and the upper mount were restored to be complete. As a result, the parts with serious arching became smooth and soft, which is more conducive to display and the collection in the future.

Abstract:Hyperspectral imaging technology and ENVI software were used to study eleven blurred seals in the collections of Yibin Museum. According to the matching of seal spectra with the standard pigment database, the main pigment of the seals may be cinnabar. Raman spectrometry was also used to verify the pigments of seals. Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) and Band Math were used to process spectral image data,which improved the recognizability of the blurred seals.The recognition of seals would be helpful for research on the authors of family genealogy, the seal using habits of authors, the collection information and the value of cultural relics.

Abstract:Fengguo Temple, also known as Seven Buddha Temple or Big Buddha Temple, is an important part of wooden architecture of the Liao Dynasty and is among the first batch of major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level in China. The inner wall of the main hall of Fengguo Temple is painted with large Yuan Dynasty murals extending to the ceiling and shows a Buddha statue of Sumeru Mountain and features a large scale and a high artistic level. They are precious materials for the study of Yuan Dynasty painting arts because of their high artistic and historical value. As an important part of the mural painting layer, the binder plays a vital role in the preservation of murals. Furthermore, the identification of binder sources is also a basis of mural conservation and restoration. Current research on the color painting of murals in Fengguo Temple mainly focuses on the analysis of pigments, but research on binder sources has not been reported so far. Our study focused on the binder of Yuan Dynasty painted murals at Fengguo temple. The amino acid compositions of mural painted layer samples labeled as FGS-1, FGS-2 and FGS-3 were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In combination with the factor analysis method, the dimension of the multidimensional data matrix obtained from the analysis was reduced, and then the identification of binder sources of Fengguo temple murals was realized. According to the literature, the amino acid composition characteristics of three protein binders commonly used in ancient times are as follows:Animal glue has a special amino acid—hydroxyproline (Hyp) and contains more glycine (Gly); The content of glutamic acid (Glu) in milk is higher and that of alanine was lower; The content of aspartic acid (Asp) in eggs is higher and that of proline (Pro) is lower.  Comparing the analytical results of samples with the above characteristics, we found that the amino acid composition of the samples was close to the characteristics of animal glue—Hyp was found and the content of Gly was high. According to factor analysis, although the scattered points of factor scores of these samples were in the area of animal glue, they were at the edge and even tended to deviate from this area. With the assistance of the factor load matrix, it was found that the reason for this phenomenon was that the Hyp contents in the samples were much lower than that in the reference samples of animal glue. Hyp is easy to decrease due to aging. One of its aging ways is dehydroxylation to Pro; Hyp can also be converted to hydroxyglutamic acid under the action of specific enzymes and oxygen, and then dehydroxylated to Glu. The high content of Pro in FGS-2 may be the result of Hyp dehydroxylation aging. The higher contents of Glu in FGS-1 and FGS-3 may be the results of Hyp enzymatic oxidation. Based on the amino acid analysis results of the samples and the aging patterns of relevant amino acids, it is concluded that the binders of the three relic samples are animal glue, which has undergone obvious aging; FGS-1 and FGS-3 are likely to have bred some microorganisms.  This study provides important information for understanding the technology of making Yuan Dynasty murals at Fengguo temple and also provides a basis for the selection of materials for the conservation and restoration of this kind of cultural relics.

Abstract:Benefiting from the fast development of information technology, virtual simulation technology has been widely utilized in the field of archaeology and cultural heritage conservation, and its tremendous potential is acknowledged. As a result, virtual simulation experiments are growing quickly as an innovative approach for the professional training in higher education. Most previous virtual simulation works of archaeological sites exhibit only a frozen moment before/during/after excavation. As a result, the complete excavation process could not be systematically demonstrated in virtual simulation experiments. This is because 3D models are the infrastructure in virtual simulations, but only the surface of objects was digitally reconstructed in the modeling process using earlier common modeling methods. Since ancient sites usually have complicated inner structures consisting of different kinds of accumulations, modeling the entire object, rather than its surface, is crucial in the virtual simulation projects concerning ancient sites. The voxel model, also known as the 3D-raster model, is an advanced modeling technology distinguished by a 3D matrix of voxel elements. Like fine pictures consisting of mass of pixels on two dimensional faces, a 3D model could be constituted by mass of voxels in a three-dimensional space. Thus, a voxel model, which includes both the surface and inner structures, provides much better virtual simulation than other kinds of models. In recent years, the voxel modeling technology has been implemented in some virtual simulation experiments of archaeological excavations as well, and demonstrates obvious advantages. First, a voxel model is a simulation of the entire object including surface and inner structure; thus those complicated objects, such as ancient sites consisting of layers and units, could be well simulated in this way; Second, when a voxel model is an accumulation of a mass of voxels, an ancient site is an accumulation of mass of earth, and some other things, as well. Thus, excavation in an archaeological site, a process of earth moving following scientific rules, could be well-simulated by the movement of voxels in a 3D voxel model. According to these features, a more realistic environment and operating experiences are provided in the virtual simulation experiments of archaeological excavations. Based on the voxel modeling technology and sufficient data from archaeological excavations, an archaeological excavation experiment has been presented by the School of History, Zhengzhou University (ZZU). With elaborated 3D model and operating procedure designs, this experiment provides a high quality virtual simulation of an ancient site with complicated accumulation and a systematic virtual reality training of archaeological working skills. This virtual simulation experiment has been part of the education program of some major fields such as archaeology, cultural heritage conservation, etc. in ZZU and has been proved to be effective while combined with course studies and internship. At the same time, this virtual simulation experiment also provides a new form for public archaeology by offering an on-line service.

Abstract:Traditional Chinese arched timber lounge bridges utilize short timber structural components to form a large bridge span. The arched lounge bridges have beautiful shapes, ingenious structures and unique types of construction. This type of ancient bridge has important historical, artistic and scientific value. Now in China remain only about 100 traditional arched timber lounge bridges, which are mostly found in southern Zhejiang Province and Northern Fujian Province. They reflect traditional bridge construction technology and the wisdom of ancient people of China. In recent years, the destruction or damage to traditional timber arched lounge bridges caused by natural disasters such as typhoons and floods has occurred from time to time. Present research on traditional arched timber lounge bridges focuses primarily on their historical and artistic value, and the development background of construction technology, but there is little research on their structural performance, especially in-depth research on the wind-induced vibrational response of traditional arched timber lounge bridges to strong wind. In order to research the wind-induced vibrational response of traditional Chinese timber lounge bridges, a case study of Wenxing Lounge Bridge was carried out. Based on a precise survey of geometric dimensions, a calculation model of Wenxing Lounge Bridge was set up using finite element software SAP2000 and the dynamic characteristics were analyzed. This study includes the following aspects:First, fluctuating strong wind was simulated by the linear filtering method and the auto-regressive (AR) model, and the wind speed time history was generated using mathematical software MATLAB; Second, wind pressure coefficients applicable to the bridge were obtained through the CFD wind-tunnel simulation with the software FLUENT, since the current load code does not provide the suggested coefficient values; Finally, the strong wind pressure was applied to the model and the internal forces, and the displacement of structure were obtained. The results show that the main vibrational mode of the structure is the third vibration mode, namely the horizontal vibration. The wind effect on the inclined tri-segment arch members is bigger than that on inclined penta-segment arch members, whereas the wind effect on horizontal penta-segment arch members is bigger than that on horizontal tri-segment arch members. The stress of tri-segment, penta-segment arch members and upper, middle scissor braces is within the allowable strength, but the tensile stress of lower scissor braces exceeds the allowable tensile strength. The slipping-off of scissor braces will cause a sudden increase of axial compressive force, and will greatly reduce the lateral rigidity of the whole structure. The wind-induced vibration coefficient of the arched timber lounge bridge is 1.43—1.75. Therefore, the wind-induced response of traditional timber arched lounge bridges cannot be ignored. This study uses, as an example, Wenxing Bridge in Taishun, Zhejiang Province. The research results reflect the loads transferring law of structural members and the dynamic characteristics of the overall structure of arched timber lounge bridges under wind loads, as well as providing a theoretical basis for the wind-resistance assessment and the wind-resistant conservation of this type of traditional arched timber lounge bridges.

Abstract:Due to material degradation and environmental impacts, the materials and mechanical properties of ancient brick masonry buildings are affected and damaged to varying degrees. In order to protect this carrier of history and culture, combining raw and necessary data obtained from ancient building materials, we systematically summarized the process of preparation and the material properties of ancient brick and traditional mortar. The basic mechanical properties and test methods of ancient brick, traditional mortar and ancient brick masonry were briefly summarized. The differences in compressive strength of single brick and masonry and the research status of mechanical properties of ancient building masonry materials were compared and analyzed. Future research on the mechanical properties of ancient masonry, such as elastic modulus and damage mechanisms of ancient masonry materials and structures is suggested. This work can provide reference for the repair and protection of ancient masonry buildings.

Abstract:Large amounts of rainfall in humid areas and immature technologies for conservation cause severe weathering and decay of outdoor earthen sites. On the basis of the phenomenon that plants grow naturally on the surface of earthen sites, plants can be used to conserve earthen sites and reduce the impact of open-air environment to some degree. This suggests the possibility of utilizing plant capping to conserve earthen sites. Through investigations of the influence of plants on earthen sites, this paper demonstrates the feasibility of the plant capping technology and discusses several points:types and rates of weathering of sites determines suitable plant capping technology; local dominant plant species are preferred for plant capping; adverse impact of plants should also be analyzed and evaluated before covering.

Abstract:In July 2017, a Jin Dynasty tomb was discovered at the construction site of Huayao City in Handan. After cleaning, a large number of wall paintings were found in the tomb. Since wall paintings are not often found in Handan, this discovery is of great significance for the study of the history and culture of Handan. Therefore, the preservation of the actual wall paintings is very important and necessary. Following the procedures of cultural relic conservation and restoration regulations, conservators cleaned up, pre-reinforced, reinforced, divided, supported, cut and moved the wall paintings. The wall paintings of the tomb were divided into 17 pieces and all of them were transported back to a warehouse for cultural relics. The subsequent conservation and restoration work began in June 2020. The bricks were subject to secondary polishing and cutting, desalination, reinforcement, flipping, cleaning, completion and coloration. The conservation and restoration work of these wall paintings was successfully accomplished.