Primitive Environment Control for Preservation of Pit Relics in Archeology Museums of China

Abstract

Immovable historical relics in some archeology museums of China suffer deterioration due to their improper preservation environment. The existing environmental control systems used in archeology museums are often designed for the amenities of visitors, and these manipulated environments are often inappropriate for the conservation of abiotic relics. This paper points out that the large open space of the existing archeology museum could be a cause of deterioration of the relics from the point of view of indoor air convective flow. The paper illustrates the need to introduce a local pit environmental control, which could reintegrate a pit primitive environment for the preservation of the historical relics by using an air curtain system, orientated to isolate the unearthed relics, semiexposed in pits to the large gallery open space of the exhibition hall.

Environmental control strategies for the in situ preservation of unearthed relics in archaeology museums

“…For in situ display of unearthed relics, the relic preservation strategy would require specific environmental management, using knowledge of the primitive environment of the relics and the differences between the interfaces of the in situ air-relic-soil complex and the primitive environment. First, the integrated dimensions of archaeology museums should be divided into the visitor passage and the local pit environment using an air curtain technology to eliminate the deposition of air pollutants on the surfaces of relics [5]. There is also a need to evaluate the heat and mass transfer across the airsoil interface and the air-relic-soil complex interfaces, to mitigate the loss of water content in the soil and salinity migration on the surfaces of relics.…”

“…Construction of archaeology museums is considered the most effective way to preserve unearthed relics. Hundreds of archaeology museums are open in China, and more than 50 archaeology museums are being constructed [5].…”

“…Additionally, novel and energy-efficient heating systems have been proposed and successfully applied to in historic buildings to reduce the risks due to environment fluctuation in artworks and improve the thermal comfort for visitors [16][17][18]. Very few studies of environmental preservation strategies for unearthed relics in archaeology museums have been published [5]. Maintaining a stable environment in an archaeology museum is more difficult than in an indoor-display museum.…”

Efficacy of an air curtain system for local pit environmental control for relic preservation in archaeology museums

“…1 For indoordisplay museum, the collection is preserved in an enclosed cabin or showcase such that a small independent space is provided to separate the relics from the visitors' environment. Equipped with technical devices, e.g.…”

“…1 We have previously undertaken preliminary monitoring of the environmental conditions including microenvironments and pollutants in the Emperor Qin's Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. 1 We have also investigated such an air curtain system using numerical modelling based on a computational fluid dynamic method. 1 In this study, the effects of geometrical parameters on the isolation efficiency of the air curtain were evaluated to determine the efficacy of such a system.…”