• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.525-538
• /
• 2018

Myazedi Quadrilingual Stone Inscription of Myanmar, inscribed to the World Heritage List in 2015, is a rare historical artifact which has an exact date of inscription. It is a written record that displays the history, religion, and culture of Myanmar. Since the surface of the Stone Inscription has been rubbed with ink many times during the process of making printed copies for interpretation and academic research, it has developed a serious stain problem. Therefore, scientific analysis of the stain and research on the treatment for its removal have been conducted. In particular, an experiment was conducted on stain removal using laser cleaning and chemical treatment. The stains are mostly ink dirt, which accumulated from previous ink-rubbing processes. In order to conduct the experiment under similar conditions, a sample with similar stain has been reproduced, and a set of different conditions for treatment was applied to the sample to determine an effective solution. Laser cleaning was found to be effective in removing stains from most samples. However, chemical treatment showed different results. The physical friction method using ethanol provided the best result. In conclusion, laser cleaning is an effective universally-applicable technique but chemical treatment with laser cleaning can be considered an alternative method in certain situations.

• Journal of architectural history
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.63-78
• /
• 2018

Pagodas in Myanmar can be largely divided into Zedi and Pato. Zedi is a developed form of the early domed pagodas in India and Sri Lanka, which can be found in the introduction of Buddhism in Myanmar and the comparison of early pagodas in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. On the other hand, Pato is where statues of Buddha were enshrined, which is why many scholars referred to it as a temple. However, this study proposes that Pato shall be referred to as a temple-style pagoda in a form unique to Myanmar, based on the origin of Pato, definition of pagodas, and Sarira Enrichment Record of Pato. Moreover, it seems more appropriate to name this type of structure Stupa Temple(塔殿) or Stupa Shrine(塔堂) rather than a Buddhist temple(佛殿) or Buddhist shrine(佛堂) for clear distinction. Pato, or temple-style pagodas, has a ${\acute{S}}ikhara-style$ structure at the center like Ananda Pato upon entering the Pagan (Bagan) kingdom period, on which Zedi-style structures are built. As a result of examining the integration of various Buddhist schools and religions focused on Theravada during the period of King Anawrahta and King Kyanzittha, the ${\acute{S}}ikhara-style$ structure is a symbolic representation of the fact that Theravada embraced Hinduism. The common features shared by pagodas in Myanmar are the centrality of place and the verticality of $y{\check{a}}ngti{\bar{a}}n$ (looking up to the sky) in terms of shape. All temples are placed at the most important and central space, and their forms represent strong religious $y{\check{a}}ngti{\bar{a}}n$ and verticality. These are the features that stand out most among various pagodas in Buddhist countries.