• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.39
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• pp.281-314
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• 2006

Several explanations exist about the usage of disk-shaped bronze implements in the ancient society. Some argue that they were used as mirrors, others suggest percussion instruments, and still others bronze ornaments. Differences between disk-shaped bronze implements and mirrors with multiple knobs are that the former have no visible design, only one handle, and a sharp curvature unlike the latter with smooth curvature. The question is whether disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Korean peninsula have any light reflecting function. To answer this question, I carefully studied the concave surfaces of disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Goejeong-dong, Tongso-ri and Hapsong-ri sites. The main findings are as follows: (1) The concave sides of the disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Goejeong-dong and Tongso-ri sites were highly polished, and they were as reflective as bronze mirrors. (2) The concave side of the disk-shaped bronze implement from Hapsong-ri site was unpolished, and it was different from bronze mirrors. (3) As for the convex sides of the disk-shaped bronze implements, they did not appear to have been polished with care. Considering the above findings, the disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Goejeong-dong and Tongso-ri sites belong to the stage where they could act as both mirrors and instruments. On the contrary, the disk-shaped bronze implement from Hapsong-ri site can belong to the stage where it lost the function of being a mirror as the result of maintaining only its function as an instrument. Even though disk-shaped implements had two functions, it can be considered that the light reflecting function expanded the role of a mirror with multiple knobs and the sound function helped the engraved round bronze implement to be converted into an eight-armed bronze rattle. Since it has been reported that shamans used bronze mirrors as percussion instruments in their performances in Korean peninsula and Siberia, I propose a reconsideration of the usage of mirrors in the ancient East Asia. Although the essential function of a mirror is to reflect light, other possible usages involving important functions need to be further investigated.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.137-153
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• 2004

We have analyzed the ingredients of 17 pieces of Bronze Age bronze ware, and an additional 22 pieces of Koryo and Chosun dynasty bronze ware. We have also conducted analysis of the extraction sites where these bronze ware items were found. For analyzing the main ingredient the bronze ware items have been divided into 3 groups - Cu-Sn(70?75:20), Cu-Pb-Sn(70:10:10), Cu-Pb-Sn(60:10:20) type respectively. In tile cases of the Cu-Pb-Sn groups the division comes down to differences in the Cu content as the main component, and elements such as Ni, Fe, Co contribute as a micro ingredient. The geographical and periodic characteristics of ancient bronze ware items show that theircompositional element changes from Cu:Sn to Cu:Pb:Sn and the Cu content decreases with the period,while the Pb content increases with the period. Bronze ware items from Suchon Ri, Gongju (that were used in 3 B.C.) form very different categories from 3rd ${\~}$ 2nd B.C.. They additionally formed very different categories from those bronze ware items analyzed in this research. These bronze ware itemsare shown to be geographically close and periodically overlapped, but made of a new elemental composition. This shows an inflow of a production technical culture present in the new bronze wares. The main component content of Cu is lower, and the Co and Fe contents (as microelements) are much higher than that of other bronze ware items. Such facts showthat those bronze ware items used completely different materials from bronze ware items in other cultural areas, or that there were differences in smelting techniques In the places where ancient bronze ware items have been extracted, it is presumed that the materials originated from the southern parts of Korea andnorthern parts and southern parts of China. .As more bronze ware scientific research is compiled one can conclude that that there will be enough scientific evidence to study the Bronze Age culture of Koreasystematically.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2000

A rolled steel for structural parts and lead bronze alloy were bonded each other by a new semi-solid diffusion bonding process to investigate the effect of the process parameters, for example bonding temperature and bonding time, on the interface characteristics, and bonding behavior. It can be possible that manufacture of the bonded steel/lead bronze which has a cylindrical shape with inserted the lead bronze alloy into the steel ring by the diffusion bonding process under the semi-solid condition of the lead bronze alloy without any pressure and flux. It has been know that the control of the amount of the liquid phase in semi-solid lead bronze alloy was very important to obtain soundness interface, since the shear strength of the bonded steel/lead bronze at 850℃ for 60 minutes under the condition of about 40% of the liquid phase in the lead bronze alloy shows maximum value, 210 MPa. The shear strength increases with an increase in bonding time and show maximum value, and then decreases.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.296-305
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• 2020

Konbaung Dynasty was the last unified dynasty that ruled Myanmar from 18^th to 19^th century. During this time Buddhist art flourished in Myanmar due to the interest of the rulers toward their traditional culture. Metal decorative artifacts in the 18^th century are classified into structures and Buddha statues. They are further subdivided into gilt-bronze and bronze objects, depending on their material component. Three-dimensional gilt-bronze decorative artifacts were cast with a brass alloy of Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb and their surfaces were gilded with extremely thin gold leaves (less than 1 ㎛ in thickness). The gilded layer approximately comprised 10 wt% silver in addition to the main element, gold. The lack of Hg in the gilded layer, indicated that the amalgam gilding technique was not applied. The analysis results indicated that the lacquered gilding technique was applied to the objects. Bronze decorative artifacts without gilding were cast with materials containing Cu-Sn-Pb. The bronze pavilions and bronze Buddha staues were crafted using the same alloy of high-tin bronze, which approximately contained 20 wt% Sn. No heat treatment was applied to reduce the brittleness of the objects after they were cast with a large amount of Sn. The most significant difference between the gilt-bronze and bronze decorative artifacts lie in their elemental compositions. The gilt-bronze decorative artifacts with their gilded surface were manufactured using brass containing zinc, while the unplated bronze decorative artifacts were composed of bronze containing tin. Artifacts of the same type and size are classified differently depending on the materials utilized in the surface treatment such as gilding.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.51
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• pp.235-256
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to compare the academic achievements of these two eras with the content and performance of the bronze ware decorative patterns in the Song dynasty and age of the Minguo. We investigated the origins and developmental process of the bronze ware decorative pattern research in Chinese bronze research history and examined their academic value. Studying bronze ware is a scholarly study. In the past, research focused on classifying letters on bronze ware. However, research on bronze ware decorative patterns was neglected. Bronze ware decorative patterns are associated with archeology and mythology studies and provide important clues as to the imagination of ancient people. The study of bronze ware in China began with the Song dynasty. Since then, research on bronze ware has been revived in the Qing dynasty, although there has been no academic achievement regarding bronze ware decorative patterns. However, at the age of the Minguo, the achievements of bronze ware decorative patterns continued to follow the Song dynasty.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.30
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• pp.5-19
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• 2009

This study is about the conservation treatment from 2008 through 2009 of Gilt-Bronze Cap excavated from Andong tumulus at Guildu-ri, Podumyeon, Goheung, Jeonnan. The whole shape of Gilt-Bronze Cap was distorted and destroyed by the earth pressure. For the conservation treatment, first, soil and pollutants came from the findspot were removed. And then to assemble the whole shape of Gilt-Bronze Cap, we carried out the jointing work forming the shape after dismantling. Under that process, the rust of bronze was removed through the microscope at every moment and the gold-plated surface was revealed. Now the conservation treatment was completed and it is expected to perform the scientific research on the manufacturing methods and composition analysis of Gilt-Bronze Cap.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.31
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• pp.217-240
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• 2013

The Chinese Bronze Epigraphy is based on the study of the Ancient Bronze, which is excavated from the ground and it is also related to Archeology and Historical Science as well. From the Han dynasty, to the Song dynasty and to the Qing dynasty. Chinese Graphonomy had a splendid development. Including ShuoWenJieZi in the Chinese Graphonomy and the study of Bronze got a shining improvement. ShuoWenJieZi as a key for deciphering ancient Chinese characters. With constant reference to the ShuoWenJieZi, Qing scholars pioneered the earliest large scale interpretations of bronze inscriptions. Several Qing Dynasty ShuoWen scholars such as a WangYun and DuanYuCai have made research in the Bronze Epigraphy. Through this research, we can figure out whether there is any relevance between the traditional study of Epigraphy and the Qing dynasty's.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.27
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• pp.5-22
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• 2006

Mireuksa is a temple that was established in the Baekjea Period and continued around to the 16thcentury. The sites of the temple throughout diverse periods such as the United Shilla Period, KoryuPeriod, and Chosun Period including the one of the early temple in the late Baekjea Period were discovered. In those temple sites, there were lots of diverse artifacts discovered including artifacts in the Bronze Age. In this study, the compositions of four bronze bells excavated from Mireuksa site in Iksan were analyzed and the manufacturing technique of bronze bells was studied through the observation of microstructure. Also, the analytical cases of ancient bronze bells were collected and compared. Furthermore, the provenance study of the bronze bells site was attempted with the Pbisotope ratio. The results aim to offer crucial keys for discovering the aspect of society as well as information about the origin, development, and the route of propagation of ancient technologies. Bronze bell No. 1 showed an unexpected composition as Cu was found 98.5% in it. There were shown twins which were created by annealing and an even phase in the fine grains. It was also shown that bronze bell No. 2 and 4 had a high content of Pb although they showed a similar composition with general bronze bells in terms of Sn content. As shown in the analysis characteristics table of Korean bronze bell of this study, the ancient bronze bell used Pb of which content was limited to 2.12% in general, however, the results showed 15.5% and 13.2% respectively, which is an excessive amount. Asa result of analyzing inclusion in the microstructure of bronze bell No. 2, it was found that sulfide group mineral was used since there appeared S(14.55%). Also, it was proven that $CuFeS_2$ or$Cu_5FeS_4$ was used as a raw material because there was a small amount of Fe. As a result of analyzing inclusion of bronze bell No. 4, the bronze bell sample contained S(13.43%) and it is thought that sulfide group mineral was used, however, it had no Fe. Therefore, it is not connected to $CuFeS_2$ which is the main mineral of Korea. In addition, a strain line was shown with processing in bronze bell No. 2 and 4. As a result of provenance study of bronze bell No. 2 and 4 using the Pb isotope ratio, they or their raw materials are estimated to come from the southern China. Bronze bell No. 3 showed only Cu and Sn, and it is featured with a relatively low amount of Sn(6.63%). The microstructure has only phase, andintergranular corrosion was highly in progress.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.24-48
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• 2022

Bronze mirrors found in pagodas were regarded as simple offerings and thus have received little attention in studies. Furthermore, the few studies on bronze mirrors enshrined in pagodas have focused on the line-engraved mirrors found in the pagodas of the Kingdom of Wuyue; therefore, it is difficult to understand the general characteristics of the bronze mirrors enshrined in the pagodas. This study assumes that the bronze mirrors found in many pagodas in the Kingdom of Wuyue and the Song dynasty were enshrined for a specific purpose. To explore this assumption and accurately understand the artifacts, this study focuses on the location and method of enshrinement. The number of bronze mirrors enshrined in pagodas increased during the Kingdom of Wuyue, with the mirrors expressing statues and inscriptions related to Buddhism rather than being simple offerings. This shows that the purpose of the bronze mirror changed. The influence of the Kingdom of Wuyue continued during the Song dynasty; however, the pattern of bronze mirror enshrinement changed due to the culture and social atmosphere of the time. The most common types of enshrined bronze mirrors were plain, and bronze mirrors from the Dang dynasty were also used consistently. Plain bronze mirrors were used more frequently in this period despite the lingering influence of the Kingdom of Wuyue because it was less laborious to engrave images and inscriptions such as the inscription of Buddha. Additionally, bronze mirrors were valued during this period because of the attention toward the imitation of the archaic bronze(仿古銅器) of the Song dynasty and the influence of the emperor. Moreover, it is believed that bronze mirrors were enshrined in pagodas as offerings as they were deemed valuable at the time. There was a change in the method of enshrining bronze mirrors in pagodas during the Kingdom of Wuyue and the Song dynasty. During this time, bronze mirrors that were positioned on the floor or in iron boxes were intentionally attached to walls or hung from the ceiling. This method was largely divided into two types: attaching to walls or the ceiling(嵌入鏡) and hanging from the ceiling(懸鏡). A typical example of hanging a bronze mirror from the ceiling can be seen in the Jingzhisa Temple Pagoda, and Teng County's Fushengsa Temple Pagoda contains an example of attaching a bronze mirror to the ceiling. The methods of hanging or attaching bronze mirrors to the ceiling were closely related to the methods employed in Chinese tombs. Song dynasty burial chambers had a high and wide structure, so to defend against evil spirits(辟邪用), bronze mirrors were used to protect the burial rooms. Bronze mirrors were, therefore, placed high to illuminate the burial room. This was achieved in the ways mentioned above. As underground chambers became wider and higher, mirrors also protected the important areas of the chambers and illuminated the interiors. Thus, it is believed that the methods of enshrining bronze mirrors in the pagodas during the Kingdom of Wuyue and the Song dynasty arose from the method of enshrining bronze mirrors in tombs at the time. Thereafter, pagodas, such as the Miaojuesa Temple Pagoda, in which the placement of a bronze mirror was actively considered from the design stage were constructed.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.21
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• pp.77-99
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• 2000

Tumuli located in Chodang-dong in Kangreung City are sitesexcavated by the Museum of Kangreung University in 1993.Ofthese sites, a gilt bronze crown and gilt bronze sword with ring pommel with a tri-leaf ornament were excavated from the B-16tumulus. Underneath the gilt bronze crown was the gilt bronzes word with ring pommel with tri-leaf ornament, and these artifacts were treated with Polyurethane foams on the spot followed by special measures for conservation. This manuscript describes measures for conservation andanalysis with regard to the gilt bronze crown, gilt bronze sword with ring pommel with tri-leaf ornament and gilt bronze beltornaments. Bronze on the gilt bronze crown was completely corroded, therefore it was consolidated together with soil in the back of the artifact with Paraloid B72 after cleaning. Polyurethanefoams bottom was finished by applying the mixture of Epoxy resinAW106 and HV935K with soil. On the sword with ring pommel, the wooden part of the hilt was coated with Paraloid B72 (in Xylene) and the blade was consolidated with Paraloid NAD-10 30% after desalting with Sodium sesquicarbonate method. The gilt bronzebelt ornaments were treated with 3% Benzotriazole, coated with Paraloid B72 and then joined by using Cyanlacrylate. Specimens for the gilt bronze crown and gilt bronze belt ornaments were produced and gilding layers were examined under a metallographic microscope. The gilt bronze crown and the gilt bronze belt ornament maintained relatively good gilding quality with uniform gilding layers. Analysis of wood for the sheath of the sword with ring pommel revealed it to be Juglans mandshurica. Further more, analysis of constituents for a blue colored grassbead from dissolution of Polyurethane foams found it to be from the $Na_2O$-CaO-$AI_2O_3$-$SiO_2$ family.