Chemical and Pb isotope analysis were performed in order to determine the origin of bronze artefacts excavated from the Inyongsaji site in South Korea. The result of ICP-MS shows that they are tin bronzes in which lead was not intentionally added during production. Pb isotope data analyzed by TIMS are plotted in the southern region of Korea and China of the distribution map drawn by Mabuchi(1985). On the other hand, the identical isotope data are plotted in the Taebaek basin and the Olcheon metamorphic belt correspondent to zone2 and zone3 respectively. It is believed that the isotope data on the tin bronzes which have very low lead content can be used to trace the origin of copper ore rather than those of either lead or tin ore. Pb istope analysis allows diverse interpretation as it can be applied to any object containing trace amounts of lead. In addition, accumulation of isotope data as well as further studies will improve reliability of the provenance studies.
Bronzes excavated from a Gulsansa temple site in Gangneung were investigated in order to study the production of technology and provenance in this area. The bronze artifacts were discovered to consist of copper-tin or copper-tin-lead alloys using chemical analysis(EDS and EPMA). The excavated bronzes were manufactured using a casting or hammering process, and a bronze belt was gilded with gold foil. The provenance of 25 bronzes was studied using lead isotope analysis(TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS). The results reveal the use of raw materials found near the excavated site. The object of this study was to investigate the manufacturing techniques and provenance in Gangneung without the need for a lot of data. Our results will contribute to the study of Gulsansa and bronze artifacts in Goryo(12-13th century).
Metallurgical remains such as crucible, mould, slag and tuyere are generated in the production of bronze. The analysis of slag in particular can be used to identify the raw materials, processes and environments (temperature and condition) employed in the bronze fabrication . The Gwanbuk-ri site in Buyeo is known as the location of a royal palace during the Baekje period, in the 6-7th centuries, and crucible fragments and slags used to make bronze were excavated there. The purpose of this study is to understand the process of bronze production and the origin of the raw ores used in the Baekje period, through micro-structure and microchemical analyses. Using chemical analysis and observation of the microstructure of the crucible and slag samples, we identified evidence of the bronze alloying and melting conditions. The melting process would have taken place under a variable redox atmosphere at 1,100 oC. Cu-Sn-Pb ternary bronze might have been produced by alloying Cu-Sn metal with lead ore (galena) in the Baekje period. The lead isotope composition ratios of 2 bronze slags were located in zone 2 and zone 3 of the lead isotope map in the southern Korean peninsula, which indicates the use of galena from south Chungcheong and north Gyeongsan provinces. For efficiency and cost-effectiveness, a concentrate of lead ore might have been transported from the mine to the consumer site.
The celadon jar with inscription of 'the Fourth Sunhwa Year' is an important chronology that shows the conditions of production of the early celadon due to the inscription on the bottom including its purpose, application, and the producer. This celadon jar has been restored several times in the past. However, concerns over the structural stability, such as the separation and level differences in the joined cracks, have risen because of the aging of the repair materials, which were subjected to various environmental changes over a long time. By examining the conditions of preservation, the major damage was identified as the '入' shaped crack on the front, the 'V' shaped restored part and the crack on its left side, and the 'J' shaped crack on the back side. In the past, the cracks were found to be joined using a refined lacquer containing camphor, drying oil, rosin, etc. mixed with soil powder. The joint line was repainted with the refined lacquer and covered with gold powder. The missing parts were restored with gypsum and colored with acrylic color. After that, the repair materials were aged and emergency treatment was performed at the National Museum of Korea in 1981. At that time, Cemedine C or Cemedine C mixed with microballoons was used for reinforcing the cracks. Conservation treatment focused on removing the past repair materials and reinforcing the physically fragile parts by joining and restoring them based on the examination of the preservation condition. in addition, the area around the restored part was colored for future exhibition.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.