• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2007

Elemental analysis, SEM-EDX, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and IR analysis were adopted to examine the quality of charred woods excavated from the underground of the Daewoongjeon Hall of Youngguksa Temple, Youngdong-gun, Chungbuk, Korea. A large amount of calcium was detected in SEM-EDX analysis. The analyses of chemical elements suggested that completely charred wood was carbonized at about $500^{\circ}C$. The XRD results indicated the destruction of cellulose crystalline region. The IR analysis exhibited that thermal degradation of wood component was different depending upon the carbonization temperature. It can be suggested from the results that PEG with different molecular weights should be used for the conservation of excavated charred woods.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.19
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• pp.73-84
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• 2006

The conservation methods for the charred-woods excavated under the Daewoongjeon Hall of Youngguksa Temple, Youngdong, Chungbuk, Korea were investigated. The tests revealed that PEG#400 10% for four days followed by gradual application of PEG#4000 10% to 40% showed the most stable and robust results, showing no cracks in macroscopic examination. This treatment method was applied to the two charred elements, which appeared to be the capitals at the excavated site. After the treatment, the consolidated capitals were transported to the laboratory, where they were retreated with PEG#4000 80% at $85^{\circ}$.... Charred capitals showed also an excellent level of stability.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.23-38
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• 2006

During the repair and restoration of the Daewoongjeon Hall of Youngguksa Temple, species identification and tree-ring dating for both present wood elements and charred ones excavated under the Hall, were conducted. The species of 74 wood elements of Daewoongjeon Hall, were identified as Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. and only 1 was identified as exotic Pinus species. The latter wood, which was used in the laths, seems to have been replaced during past repairs. Many documentary records and various artifacts pertaining to Youngguksa Temple are being excavated, but none described precisely the construction date of the present Daewoongjeon Hall. Also, from beneath the Daewoongjeon Hall, cornerstone and foundation of previous building and several charred wood elements were excavated. In comparing the direction of the stone columns of foundation of the previous structure and the existing Daewoongjeon Hall, the previous structure was rotated in an angle of approximately $15^{\circ}$. Therefore, in order to find the association of the previous structure with the present Daewoongjeon Hall, tree-ring dating was conducted. The dating of 41 original timbers and 14 roof-filling timbers of the present construction elements revealed that the last annual ring was of A. D. 1703 with complete latewood, indicating that those woods was cut some time between the autumn of 1703 and spring of 1704, and the building was erected in 1704 when we assume no period of wood storage. The year of the last annual ring of the charred elements, which were excavated from beneath the Daewoongjeon Hall, was analyzed as 1674. The cutting year of the woods used for the present building began in 1698, therefore, it can be presumed that the Daewoongjeon Hall before the fire was a structure that was elected shortly after 1674 and that a catastrophic fire occurred some time between 1674 and 1698.