Abstract
In this paper, 23 Silla gold earrings from the sixth and seventhand centuries, excavated from the Yeongnam region, were analyzed. Based on the silver content of the gold plate, they were classified into three types. The classifications included type I(20-50wt%), type II(10-20wt%) and type III (less than 10wt%). In the analysis process, the composition and morphological differences were identified on the surface of the gold plate. In the case of type I and II earrings, it was observed that the fine holes were concentrated in a relatively higher part of the gold content. The causes of the difference in the surface composition of the gold plate were divided into four categories: 1) surface treatment, 2) thermal diffusivity in the manufacturing process, 3) differences in composition of alluvial gold, and 4) the refining method of gold. It is possible that depletion gilding was attempted to increase the gold content while intentionally removing the other metals from the surface of the gold alloy in the portion where the gold deposit is relatively concentrated on the surface of the gold plating. The highest copper content was detected in the earring with the highest gold content of the analyzed earrings, and it was assumed that thermal diffusion had occurred between the gold plate and the metal rod during the manufacturing process rather than intentional addition. Copper was detected only in the thin ring earring type, and copper was not detected in the thick ring earring type or pendant type. It also proves that this earring has a high degree of tightness at higher temperatures, as there was an invisible edge finish on other earrings and horizontal wrinkles on the gold plate surface. In terms of the material of the gold plate, we examined whether the silver content of the gold plate was natural gold or added by alloy through analyzing the alluvial gold collected in the region. As a result of the analysis, it was found that on average about 13wt% of silver is included. This suggests that type II is natural gold, type III is refined gold, and type I seems to have been alloyed with natural gold. Here, we investigated the refining method introduced in the ancient literature, both at home and abroad, about the possibility of alloying silver after the refining process of type III earrings and then making pure gold. It was found that from ancient refining methods, silver which had been present in the natural gold was removed by reacting and combining with silver chloride or silver sulfide, and long-term efforts and techniques were required to obtain pure gold through this method. Therefore, it was concluded that the possibility of adding a small amount of silver in order to increase strength after making pure gold through a refining process is low.
영남지역에서 출토된 6~7세기 신라 금제 귀걸이 23점에 대한 성분 분석을 실시하고, 금판에 포함된 은(Ag) 함량을 기준으로 세 가지 유형으로 분류하였다. I 유형(20~50wt%), II 유형(10~20wt%), III 유형(10wt% 이하)으로 구분하였는데, I II 유형의 귀걸이 금판은 금(Au) 함량이 상대적으로 높은 부분에서 미세한 기공이 집중적으로 분포되는 현상이 관찰되었다. 금판 표면의 성분 차이 발생 원인을 네 가지로 구분하여 1) 표면 처리, 2) 제작 과정에서 열 확산, 3) 사금의 성분 차이, 4) 금의 정련 방법 측면에서 검토하였다. 금판 표면의 금 함량이 상대적으로 높은 부분에서는 미세한 기공이 집중적으로 관찰되며, 이와 관련하여 금 합금 표면에 의도적으로 금을 제외한 금속 성분을 제거하면서 금 함량을 높이는 고갈 도금(depletion gilding) 가능성을 제시하였다. 의도적인 표면 처리와 더불어 제작 과정에서 금판과 금속 봉 사이에 열 확산이 일어나 금판의 구리 함량이 높아진 사례를 세환이식의 분석 결과로 확인되었다. 금판의 재료적인 측면에서 살펴보면 금판에 포함된 은(Ag)이 자연금에 포함된 것인지, 합금에 의해 추가된 것인지를 국내에서 채취된 사금 분석을 통해 살펴보았다. 분석 결과 평균적으로 13wt% 정도의 은이 포함된 것으로 미루어 보아 II 유형은 자연금의 범주에 포함되고, III 유형은 정련 과정을 거친 금, I 유형은 자연금에 은이 합금된 것으로 보인다. 여기에서 III 유형의 경우 정련 과정을 거쳐 순수한 금을 만든 뒤 은을 합금했을 가능성에 대해 국내외 고대 문헌에 소개된 금 정련 방법을 조사하였다. 고대 정련 방법은 자연금에 포함된 은이 염화물 또는 황화물과 반응하여 결합됨으로써 제거되는 방법이었는데, 이러한 방법을 통해 순수한 금을 얻기 위해서는 장시간의 노력과 기술이 요구된다는 것이 밝혀졌다. 따라서 정련 과정을 통해 순금을 만든 후에 강도를 높이기 위해 소량의 은을 첨가했을 가능성은 낮아 보인다.
