• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.30
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• pp.47-70
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• 2023

In 2019, the first excavation survey was conducted at the Temple Site No. 4 of Yaksugok Vally in Namsan Mountain, Gyeongju to determine the original location of the headless stone Buddha statue and the structure of the temple site. The survey excavated a stone Buddha head that was confirmed in a comparative analysis to be petrologically and mineralogically identical to a headless stone seated Buddha statue found derelict nearby. Traces of gold leaf and black adhesive were found on a portion of the right side of the face of the Buddha head buried in the ground. Since it is exceedingly rare for lacquer and gilding techniques to have been applied to a large stone Buddha statue without a base layer, this study examines the gilding techniques of the time by analyzing the characteristics of the materials used. In this process, the structure of the gold foil was observed through analytical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and the gold (Au) component was identified. As a result of analyzing the black adhesive using pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS), pyrolysis compounds such as hydrocarbons, fatty acids, catechol, and catechol oxidation products were detected. This was identical to the characteristics identified upon analyzing lacquer collected from species of lacquer tree whose main component is urushiol. Therefore, it was confirmed that the stone Buddha head excavated from the Temple Site No. 4 of Yaksugok Valley was separated from a nearby stone seated Buddha statue, and that the gold foil was attached using lacquer sap collected from lacquer trees, which grow in Korea, China, and Japan.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.614-624
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to offer the raw data for establishing the plan of disaster prevention and the continuous conservation of soil ecosystem by grasping the potential soil loss and the danger of erosion using RUSLE method on whole districts in Gyeongju National Park, Korea. In the results of the average amount of soil erosion for the year, the average of all districts was 5.7 ton/ha in annual, and Namsan district was the highest in 7.6 ton/ha in annual and Seoak district was the lowest in 2.1 ton/ha in annual. The dangerous district due to the soil erosion was analyzed as under 1%, and Gumisan and Hwarange district was not serious. But Namsan district was higher than others, especially, there was intensive in all over Geumohbong. Therefore, to protect the all over Geumohbong, we will establish the valid of restoration and management. The types of land cover in Gyeongju National Park mostly showed forest, and as the average amount of soil erosion in forest was 3.7 ton/ha in annual, there was good condition. In the results of the amount of soil erosion due to landform, the deep canyon showed as 7.3 ton/ha in annual per unit area, secondly, the U-shaped valley was analyzed as 6.1 ton/ha in annual. The plain and high ridge were predicted that there occurred the small amount of soil erosion. In future, if we will analyze the amount of soil erosion in Korean National Parks, we will offer the help to establishing the plan of conservation and restoration on soil ecosystem in whole National Parks.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2010

The artificial rains having different pH and weathering simulation test were performed for Gyeongju Namsan granite and dacitic tuff to predict the role of acid rain in the deterioration of stone monuments located in Gyeongju area. The pH 4.0 rain reacted with the fresh granite showed near neutral pH at the early stage due to the hydrolysis of minerals in the rock surface. But the pH changed back to the initial pH in the later stage. On the other hand, the pH 5.6 rain showed the neutral pH for a longer time than the experiment with pH 4.0 rain, reflecting slower reaction of minerals due to the weaker acidity. When the pH 5.6 rain reacted with the weathered granite, the water showed neutral pH longer than the case of the fresh granite. The similar tendencies were observed in the experiment of dacitic tuff, except that the pH 4.0 rain reacted with dacitic tuff took a longer time to go back to the initial pH as compared with the case of granite. These results may due to the differences in mineral composition and texture of two rocks. Dacitic tuff contains more fine-grained or glassy groundmass than granite and is more reactive with weaker acid rain. It was predicted that the weight loss and strength decrease rate of dacitic tuff would be approximatetly twice relative to those of granite in the same experimental environment.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.62-79
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• 2019

This study examined the background of Gyeongju Seochulji Pond (world heritage, historic site No. 138), a historic pond in Sam-guk-yu-sa (三國遺事), and its landscaping period when it served as the garden of the Pungcheon Lim clan (豊川 任氏) in the middle of the Joseon dynasty. For this study, a literature review of poetry, prose, and a personal anthology, and a field survey were conducted. Changes in the landscape were analyzed by comparing the landscape appearing in the literature of the Joseon period with past photographs. The results were as follows: First, even though the function and landscape at that time cannot be guessed as the objective ground from Silla to the early part of the Joseon dynasty is insufficient, it has been managed as a Byeolseo (別墅) garden as Pungcheon Lim's family resided in the area of Eastern-Namsan Mountain during the Joseon dynasty. At that time, Seochulji Pond was recognized as a historic place. It functioned as the garden of Pungcheon Lim's family as Lim Jeok (任勣, 1612~1672) built the Yiyodang pavilion (二樂堂). Second, in the literature, the Yiyodang pavilion has been called Gaekdang (客堂), Jeongsa (精舍), Byeolgak (別閣) and Byeolseo, etc. It can be seen as Nu and Jeong (樓亭), utilized for various uses. Because of this, the name Bingheoru Pavilion (憑虛樓) has mostly been in common use. Third, Seochulji Pond was positioned where the scenery is beautiful, with Gyeongju Mt. Namsan (Mt. Geumo) in the background and with a wide field and the Namcheon River flowing in the front. This was typical of Byeolseo gardens of the Joseon dynasty, combining human environments with natural environments. Fourth, the relationship with the Byeolseo garden disappeared as the head of Pungcheon Lim's family added a temple, lotus flowers, pine trees, and a bamboo forest as described in the old poetry and prose. Currently, the landscape does not appear to be significantly different from that as development has not occurred in the area of Seochulji Pond. Also, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), which now symbolizes the Seochulji Pond, was not identified in the old poetry or past photographs and is not old enough to confirm whether it was prominent at the time. Through this study, it is necessary to reconsider the spatial meanings of the gardens of the Joseon dynasty period and not to highlight the area of Seochulji Pond as a place in the legend. This is a cultural asset in the area of Eastern-Namsan Mountain and has an important meaning in terms of garden history.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1431-1442
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• 2015

This study was carried out to systematically maintain and manage the trails by assessing the physical characteristics, the types of deterioration and impact rating class of trails located in Mt. Nam District of the Gyeongju National Park. The major trails followed 6 routes including Sambulsa-Geumobong(A), Yongjangsaji-Geumobong(B), Yongjanggol-Yiyoungjae-Gowibong(C), Cheonusa-Gowibong(D), Sangseojang-Forest road(E) and Tongiljeon-Forest road(F). The routes length of A was 2.2 km, 2.7 km of B, 3.4 km of C, 1.3 km of D, 2.0 km of E and 1.0 km of F. In the physical characteristics, A was the widest and F was the narrowest in the width and bared width of trail. In depth of erosion, B was the deepest and E was the shallowest. D was the steepest and E was the gentlest in the slope. In the results of analysing the types of deterioration, A were 13 types, 11 types of B, C and D, 10 types of E and 6 types of F. The times of appearance of deterioration types in A were 86 times, 75 times of B, 105 times of C, 48 times of D, 47 times of E and 13 times of F. In case of the impact rating class, trail erosion was II degree, I degree of trail expansion, root exposure, trail divergence and rock exposure.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2015

In order to predict the deterioration of stone monument due to acid fog, an artificial fog test using pH4.0 and pH5.6 was applied to the Gyeongju Namsan granite, decite and marble. After the test had weathered Gyeongju Namsan granite a larger weight reduction due to acid fog than fresh one. Decite has shown the most significant changes among the tested rocks with about 0.005 % of weight reduction. Decite and weathered granite will have considerable weight reduction due to acid rain than the acid fog, whereas the marble was expected to show a weight reduction regardless of the phase of water. The porosity and water absorption rate of weathered granite had significantly increased. This result means that the weathered rock is predicted to be more susceptible to acid fog than the fresh rock. The absorption rate of the marble after the test had shown approximately 50 % increase. The color of the samples had slightly changed towards yellow, such tendency was greater shown in weathered rocks. The marble reacted with acid fog had an increased whiteness. A large amount of cation in the samples is caused mainly by the dissociation of minerals through the reaction with acid fog.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 2012

This study demonstrates the consolidation effect of ethylsilicate consolidants considering material characteristics and weathering degree of Samneunggyeseongakyukjonbul(rock-carved Yukjonbul Buddha in Samneung Valley) in Namsan, Gyeongju. The buddha statue is composed of alkali feldspar granite and contains numerous sets of joint with exfoliation and granular disintegration, therefore the statue is necessary to be treated for surface strength. The laboratory and in-situ tests of consolidation effect showed more increase of ultrasonic velocity that KSE 300, a relatively highly concentrated consolidant, performed more increase of ultrasonic velocity and decrease of porosity than others after treatments in weathered granite. And the consolidated rock with OH 100 was more resistant to salt weathering. For the buddha statues, KSE 300 is more applicable to enhance surface strength because it showed higher consolidation effect for long term than OH 100 and the statues has not been weathered by salts.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.75-86
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• 2015

The survey was taken from July to August 2012 by users who visited Gyeongju National Park to compare the perceived gap of users regarding management policy by characteristic of Gyeongju National Park district type in this study. Gyeongju National Park users' characteristic, use pattern and perception regarding park management policy were created as survey items. First, district type was classified based on use pattern of the visitor and the key resources of 8 districts in Gyeongju National Park. Tohamsan District, which has many visitors for the purpose of scenery appreciation and recreation with Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto, is classified as tourism type, Namsan and Daebon District, which bring in many visitors seeking to learn about historical culture and environmental education, could be classified as historical culture education types, and Hwarang, Seoak, Sogeum River, Gumisan District are places residents use for physical training, hiking and walking to improve health, thus classifying them as neighborhood park types. People perceived that the tourism type is where users for historical artifact tours are concentrated, thus consideration for plans that can improve visitors' satisfaction from a user limit policy is required, and a manager's right to control use behavior must be reinforced in historical culture education types. On the other hand, users of neighborhood parks found the lowest necessity for most of the policy, and this showed that users of each of Gyeongju National Park's districts felt differently about the need for policies. This result is expected to be utilized as a database for introducing policy that reflects the perception of users in each districts of Gyeongju National Park in the future.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.242-281
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• 2010

There are a large number of Buddhist cultural relics in Mt. Namsan. The cultural relics carry the spirit of people of Shila who dream of Buddhist Elysium and the establishment of Buddhist nation. In the valley and the top of the mountain and on various rock cliff, stone statues of Buddha and stone pagodas stand in harmony with nature. For that reason, Mt. Namsan is called an open-air museum. And it played an important role in establishing 'The UNESCO World Heritage' status for Gyeongdju in December 2000. But sadly, there are many stone relics that have eroded away and damaged from collapsing in the passage of time. The seated stone statue of Buddha in Samreoung valley of Mt. Namsan is one of them. It was created between the 8th and 9th century, and restored without much care nor extensive historical research in 1923. As a result, The face of the Buddha remained with concrete mortar and its nimbus fallen backward and destroyed. Therefore, restoration and repair as well as creation of a statue environment for the statue were urgent. So we immediately started in restoration and repair. First, through the archaeological excavation around the stone Buddha, we carried the stone Buddha on the original position. In order to restore the statues to its original glory created by the Unified Shila Dynasty, we created a restoration plan in corporation with art historians and historians, then restored the jaw and the damage nimbus. Second, we made the weathering & damage map of the stone Buddha. In order to prevent second damage, we cleaned the surface of contaminants with distilled water. Third, we studied restoration method to prevent artificial damage. We recreated parts of his face and halo. Then each parts of the statue were restored to their original position. In the whole process of restoration, we tried to use traditional techniques.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.151-174
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• 2022

According to the "Special Act on the Restoration and Maintenance of the Core Relics of the Shilla Kingdom" enacted in 2019, the Shilla Kingdom refers to the capital of Shilla and Unified Shilla period, and refers to Gyeongju, where the king lived, and the nearby area. Shilla Wanggyeong is a heritage registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 under the name of Gyeongju Historic Site and belongs to Wolseong District, Hwangnyongsa District, and Daeneungwon District among the five districts registered as Gyeongju Historic Site. Unlike the Namsan and Sanseong districts, the Shilla Kingdom is a heritage consisting mostly of archaeological sites without physical substance. Gyeongju City sought to promote local tourism while providing more direct experiences to visitors by restoring the heritage that constitutes the Shilla Kingdom. Starting with the restoration of Woljeonggyo Bridge in 2005, the Shilla Wanggyeong restoration project began in earnest. Gyeongju City tried to restore the building site on the west side of Donggung Palace and Wolji after Woljeonggyo Bridge, but it was canceled due to opposition from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The World Heritage Committee opposed the restoration and recommended a heritage impact assessment for similar projects in the future. During the miscarriage impact assessment procedure, there is an OUV attribute analysis process of the heritage to be evaluated. This study intends to preemptively derive OUV attributes for the Silla Kingdom through literature and overseas case analysis. In the case of literature research, domestic and foreign research data related to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and World Heritage Management were examined, and in overseas cases, the architectural works of Krakow Historical District, Stonehenge and Abbury Geoseok Ruins in England, and Le Corbusier were analyzed. Through this, the outstanding universal value attributes of the Silla Kingdom were derived. This study is expected to be used as a reference in the process of restoration projects of other heritage constituting the Shilla Kingdom or construction plans in nearby areas in the future and serve as an indicator to improve the management system of the Shilla Kingdom more efficiently from the perspective of world heritage.