• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.17-22
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• 2002

A wooden coffin estimated to be made in Baikjae Dynasty in AD. 6 century was excavated from ancient tombs in Nung-san ri, and examined to identify its wood species using light and electron microscopy. Wooden part attached to oxdized complex around the iron nails on the coffin was electro-chemically separated to prepare the samples for observation. The results revealed that 24 samples out of 28 samples investigated were identified as Torreya nucifera, while the rest 4 samples were identified as Pinus densiflora.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.18 s.18
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• pp.105-110
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to identify the species and to date the coffin woods that were excavated at a tomb (husband and wife) in Hopyungri, Namyngju, Korea. Twenty-three wood specimens of the two coffins were analyzed for identifying their species. All coffin woods were Pinus spp. (hard pine). 'Sabs'(ritual utensils that prevent demon) were made from Tilia spy. Tree-ring dating proved that the husband's coffin was made from the wood which was cut around 1620 and the wife's one at a little earlier period.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.106-130
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• 2009

The aim of this paper is analysis of structure and development pattern about wooden coffin and chamber tombs in Gyeongju from the 2nd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. for researching to socio-political tendency and growth process of Sarokuk. Tombs buried with iron objects were built in Youngnam(嶺南) from the 2nd century B.C. with spread wooden coffin with stone mound(積石木棺墓). Also medium or small sized wooden coffin tombs buried with bronze mirror of western Han(前漢) and soft stoneware(瓦質土器) were appeared the 2nd century B.C. in Gyeongju, because of establishment of Han's commanderies(漢郡縣) in the Korean Peninsula and refuge from Daedong river(大同江) to Jinhan(辰韓). Separate tombs(獨立墓) with lots of bronze object ware assumed high ranked tombs of parsonage(司祭王) or local chief(地域首長). From the 2nd century A.D. the size of wooden coffin tombs became enlarged and funerary objects ware abundant, for example Sarari 130th tomb(舍羅里 130號). The burying pattern of this tomb is similar to wooden chamber tombs in Lelang(樂浪), which had prestige goods like lacquer ware and bronze mirror in wood box(木匣) beside coffin. Appearance of these wooden chamber tombs that were different from original wooden coffin tombs imply interaction between Lelang and these area with iron. Sarari community that held right of trade and distribution to outside through the geographical advantage grew up centered position in Gyeongju politically, socially, and culturally. Chamber in tomb as a new structural notion that can secure funerary objects became firmly was established from the 2nd century A.D. in Gyeongju and large sized wooden chamber tombs were generally built early of the 3rd century A.D. This tendency was reflected in stratification of community and growth as center of local state. After late of the 3rd century A.D. Gyeongju type wooden chamber tomb(慶州式木槨墓) which had subordinate outer coffin(副槨) was appeared and then subordinate outer coffin was as bigger as main chamber(主槨) the 4th century A.D., because of centralization and stratification in society and unification of various communities among the Gyeongju area.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.39
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• pp.5-38
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• 2006

Although in Korea there are only three examples of wooden coffins being found in burial mounds - from the Daho-ri, Songhyun-dong, and Munyung tombs, in Japan data on the shape and structure of wooden coffins from the Gofun era is relatively abundant. The wooden coffins of the Gofun era of Japan can be classified into either the dugout log style or the combined boards style according to their method of manufacture. They can also be divided by shape, into such categories as the boat shape, the split bamboo shape, the box shape, and so on. The box shape category can be further divided into the assembled type and the nailed type, according to how the boards are put together. Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) was favored as coffin-wood in all ages, but during the later Gofun era easily obtained woods such as the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) or the Hinoki Falsecypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) were also used. The coffins found at Daho-ri and Songhyun-dong are similar to the Japanese dugout log style in shape and manufacture, while the king's and queen's coffins excavated at Munyung Tomb are seen to have had direct influence on the appearance of nailed coffins Japan. The coffin in Songhyun-dong 7th mound was originally a dugout log boat. It was probably used for practical reasons such as the bugproof, anti-corrosion qualities of camphor wood, not because of ideological reasons such as in a boat burial (in which the boat takes the deceased to the after world). Because the Changnyong region is inland, where camphor trees do not grow, using an already existing boat may have been the only way to procure a camphor-wood coffin. From historical circumstances, it may be inferred that the camphor trees were imported into Korea from Japan, between which there was much cultural exchange.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.20
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• pp.81-88
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• 2007

For the conservation of wooden coffin from King Muryeong's Tomb we examined weight change, shrinkage rate, color changes, and permeation expansion according to the permeation pretreatment chemicals by producing experimental samples with similar physical properties. The result shows Dammar 2 %(in xylene) as the most excellent treatment for protecting deformation by contraction and strengthening materials which are also maintaining its original colors of wood. Therefore, we could get strengthening conservation treatments of dried wooden coffin materials by using Dammar.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.2 no.2 s.2
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• pp.3-14
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• 1993

This study was carried out to identify the species of wooden coffins excavated from ancient kings' tombs of Nakrang and Pro-Three-Kingdoms to the beginning period of the Three Kingdoms, and the private tombs of the middle stage at the Yi dynasty. The species of wooden coffins were identified as three softwoods(Thxus cuspidata, Sciodopitys verticillata, Pinus densiflora) and six hardswoods(Quercus acutissima, Quercus serrata, Zelkova serrata, Platycarya strobilarea, Alnus japonica and Morns spp.). Thxus cuspidata, wooden coffins of Nakrang kings' tombs, is distributed through Korea. However in previous examination it was known as Cunninghania lanceolata, native species in south China. Sciodopitys verticillata used as a wooden coffin of King Muryung's tomb was native to Japan. It was a material evidence proving the cultural exchange between Paekche Kingdoms and Japan in those days. Pinus densiflora was the species of wooden coffins excavated from private tombs in Yi dynasty, which was not found out from Pro-Three-Kingdoms and Three-Kingdoms. Quercus accutissima was used for making a trough shape wooden coffins at Daho-ri ancient tombs and Quercus serrata was used a outer wooden coffin of Nakrang kings' tombs. An adamant iron mongery might be used to manufacturing a trough shape wooden coffin. This indicates that a developed iron-manufacturing technics existed in Korea at that time. Zelkova serrata was used for making wooden coffins of Imdang and Kaya ancient tombs, Chunma and Hwangnam king tombs. Platycarya strobizacea was used for making wooden coffin of Daegok-ri, Alnus japonica for Daho-ri coffins and Morus spp. for Imdang coffins.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.24
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• pp.13-22
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• 2008

The identification of species, hygroscopic property, and ability of ethylene gas absorption of 23 ancient charcoals excavated from wooden coffin burials and roof-tile kilns of Chudong-ri cultural site were investigated. All of the 12 charcoals excavated from wooden coffin burials were broad-leaved trees. Among the total 12 samples, 9 samples were Lepidobalanus and others were Celtis spp.. On the other hand, other 11 charcoals from roof-tile kilns were needle-leaved tree, Pinus spp.(hard pine). The broad-leaved tree charcoals from wooden coffin burials showed a higher moisture absorption capacity than needle-leaved tree charcoals from roof-tile kilns. The ethylene gas absorption was greater in the Lepidobalanus charcoal than that of Celtis spp. and Pinus spp. (hard pine) charcoal. The broad-leaved tree charcoal having high absorption ability of substances was due to a large microporous and specific surface area. Therefore, it was estimated that broad-leaved tree charcoals were filled in order to make favorable condition in tomb. The wood quality of pine is soft and easy to burn because of low specific gravity, as well as high calorific value by resin in wood. We could assume that the pine wood was used as fuel for roof-tile kilns because of easy control of heating and thermal power.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2000

This is a case study of conservation treatment of the textiles and costumes excavated from Soonchun Park's tomb in Eumsung, North Chungcheong province. When excavated, the objects were found fairly wet and badly smelled since they decayed in wooden coffin. They were wet-treated with deionized water to remove dirt and dried at room temperature, during which the objects were blocked and flattened to keep them in shape. Silk crepeline was under-layed and stitched to the damaged areas with silk-hair threads. Each costume was individually stored in a tray made of paulownia wood and flat textiles were rolled up in paper cylinders with 6 and 10 cm in diameter. Thymol was used to prevent microorganisms.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.18
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• pp.19-34
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• 2017

Analysis of the species of wood in the wooden materials and the chemical composition of the fabric of the clothing excavated from the tomb of Yi Jing (1580-1642) has determined that the wooden materials, including the coffin (內棺, naegwan), burial chamber(外棺, oegwan), chilseongpan(七星板, bottom-lining board), and fan-shaped slats were made of pine(Pinus densiflora). The analysis of the fabrics suggested that the cloth attached to the fan-shaped slats, the funeral banner with inscriptions, and the five pouches for the corpse (五囊, onang) were all made of silk. The jacket was made of plain-weave cotton, while the inner and outer cloth of the socks were made of cotton and hemp, respectively. Among the silk items, the pouches for the left and right feet (constituting the five pouches for the corpse) were made from a satin-weave figured silk, while the other silk items were made of ju(紬), or plain-weave silk fabric. Infrared analysis revealed that the fan-shaped slats were decorated with cloud patterns across the entire surface, while the funeral banner and the five pouches for the corpse bore ink inscriptions.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2016

This study defined material and characteristics of 24 glass fragments and 26 whole glass beads. The feature of glass beads shape are divided into 5 types following color, size, weathering condition and manufacturing techniques. Through the chemical composition, the first and second type is soda glass, the third type is potash glass, the fourth and fifth type is lead barium glass. This site showed the aspect that the chemical composition is changed according to the feature of glass shape and was found that various chemical compositions. Looking at the flow of glass culture, the tomb that are lead barium glass IItype and potash glass I, IItype is relatively preceding period and the tomb that are soda glass and lead barium glass IIItype is following period.