국립가야문화재연구소

Affiliated Institute

Conservation of Excavated Relics

We sort out the results of various activities including an academic survey of cultural heritages and the preservation treatment of unearthed relics, carry out in-depth analysis/research by subject, and share the results with other researchers.

Preservation treatment process for metal relics

Preliminary survey	Collection of relics and checking of the embedded environment. - Checking the embedded environment to determine what caused the relics to decay. Status check. - X-ray photography to check the status of the inside of the relics. Recording of the pre-treatment status. - Comprehensive checking of the status of the relics based on the photos of the scene of their collection, pre-treatment photographs, X-ray photos, weight and other measurements.
Cleaning (Removal of foreign materials)	Setting the criteria for cleaning in such a way that the original status of the relics is preserved. Physical method. - Removal of foreign materials, including dirt and corrosive products, using an air abrasive tool, small tools (e.g. knife, small hammer, nipper), a vibration tool or small dental tools. · Chemical method -Removal of corrosive products generated on the surface of relics, using formic acid and a highly absorbent resin.
Stabilizing treatment	· Stabilizing treatment of metal relics - Desalination treatment. - Removal of corrosive elements from relics. (Effects of negative ions in embedded environment) - Dealkali treatment. - Removal of strong alkali chemicals from relics. · Stabilizing treatment of bronze/gold-plated relics. - Anti-rust treatment. - Vacuum immersion. (Or natural immersion for one week) after placing relics in a solution of benzotriazole (BTA) mixed with acetone. (3~5% concentration)
Reinforcing treatment	Reinforcing treatment of metal relics. - Paraloid NAD-10 + NAPTA. - V-flon + YKD80. · Reinforcing treatment of bonze/gold-plated relics. - Mixing Paraloid B-72 with acetone or toluene at the desired / suitable level of concentration for the relics ※Incralac is chiefly used when using both the stabilizing treatment and the reinforcing treatment simultaneously.
Adhesion / restoration	Adhesion of broken pieces or restoration of the shape instant adhesive (Loctite401, Alteco), Cemedine-C.
Color matching	· Color matching to ensure good outward appearance of adhered / restored parts.
Recording the status after treatment	· The entire process of preservation treatment should be recorded accurately. - Treatment period / method; chemicals used ; what to analyze. - Comparison between before / after treatment. - Photographing after treatment.
Storage	· Fixing relics and placing them in a tightly closed container. - Packed in oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, with silica gel enclosed after fixing relics to the appropriate frame. · Storage in a heat/moisture-resistant facility. - Maintaining a given level of temperature. (20±2℃) and humidity. (35~45%)

Preliminary survey

X-ray-based observatio

Cleaning (Removal of foreign materials)

Cleaning

Anti-rust / Reinforcing treatment

Adhesion / Restoration

Color matching

Preservation treatment process for wooden relics

Preliminary survey	· Collection of relics and checking of the embedded environment. - Checking to determine how the relics can be preserved and maintained in their original form before unearthing. (e.g. water immersion or existence of underwater sedimentary layer, etc.) · Status check -Infrared photographyshould be used to check whether there are writings in Indian ink. · Recording of pre-treatment status. - The status of the relics should be checked from diverse perspectives based on a photographic image of the scene of their collection, and photographic images of their pre-treatment status, wood species, weight, size, etc. - Checking of wood species. · Three sections of wood should be observed to check wood species and decide which preservation treatment method should be used.
Cleaning (removal of foreign materials)	· Physical method. - Foreign materials should be removed, using small tools like a brush, while maintaining sufficient moisture.
Stabilizing treatment	· Deoxidation treatment. - Immersion in a solution of EDTA 2Na 2%. · Anti-decay treatment -Relics to be immersed in a solution of boric acid and borax mixed at a ratio of 7:3 to prevent damage caused by microbes.
Reinforcing treatment	· Reinforcing treatment to enhance mechanical intensity of weakened water-immersed wooden relics. - PEG 2-step method. - T-Butanol, PEG-vacuum freeze-drying method. - PEG-vacuum freeze-drying method.
Adhesion / restoration	· Sealing of cracks or pieces made in the course of treatment. - Araldite HV427, SV427 / Araldite rapid type / Loctite 401 / Alteco.
Color matching	· The entire process of preservation treatment to be recorded accurately. - Treatment period/method; chemicals used; what to analyze. - Comparison between before/after treatment. - Photographing after treatment.
Recording post-tre-atment status	· The entire process of preservation treatment to be recorded accurately. - Treatment period/method; chemicals used; what to analyze. - Comparison between before/after treatment. - Photographing after treatment.
Storage	· Fixing relics and placing them in a tightly closed container. - Packed in oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, with silica gel enclosed after fixing relics to the appropriate frame. · Storage in a heat/moisture-resistant facility. - Maintaining a given level of temperature (20±2℃) and humidity (50~70%).
Main treatment	· Removal of foreign materials. - Metathesis treatment, using alcohol → Drying → Hardening treatment, using paraloid B72 → Adhesion and restorations.