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%)

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Preliminary survey

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X-ray-based observatio

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Cleaning (Removal of foreign materials)

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Cleaning

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Anti-rust / Reinforcing treatment

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Adhesion / Restoration

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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.

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Preliminary survey

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Cleaning (Removal of foreign materials)

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Anti-decay / dehydra-tion treatment

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Measurement stabilizing treatment

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Drying

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Adhesion / Restoration

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Storage

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International Cultural Heritage Cooperation Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea National Palace Museum of Korea Korea National Commission for UNESCO