• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.333-339
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• 2013

This study was conducted to build up the inventories of Pb isotopic compositions of major Pb pollution sources in South Korea. Since non-ferrous metal smelters are one of major anthropogenic sources, two smelters for zinc, each one of smelter for lead and copper were selected for the study. The Pb concentrations and isotopic compositions of metal ores, wastewater, sludge, metal rod and produced sulfuric acid were analysed to understand the Pb isotopic patterns in environment. The isotopic ratio, $^{206}Pb/^{207}Pb$, of zinc ores from zinc smelter were in the range of 1.179~1.198 and the ratio of waste, flue gas and products samples were 1.105~1.147. This results implied that the isotopic patterns of output samples showed mixing patterns between two distinct metal ore soerces. In 2011, major importing countries of zinc ore were Australia, Peru and Mexico. Thus Pb isotopic patterns from zinc smelter is originated from the mixing patterns between less radiogenic Australian ores and more radiogenic South America's ores. Lead smelters also showed the same mixing patterns with those of zinc smelters. However copper smelter showed same Pb isotopic patterns with more radiogenic South America's ores.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 2000

This study is a scientific analysis of 12 bronze materials which were excavated from Sanoisa temple in Chongju. Analysis of crystalline shape, size and distribution of the each sample metal suggested that they can be classified as tableware(wrought), vessels for memorial service(casting) and bell bronze, which is the same result as classification based on elemental composition. Most of the tableware are forging wares with composition of 8:2:0 in Cu:Sn:Pb, and vessels for memorial service are casting wares whose composition is 7:1:2 in Cu:Sn:Pb, and bell bronze's composition is Cu:Sn:Pb = 85:10:5/9:1:0. The result clearly shows that composition is closely related with usage and manufacturing method of wares. Trace elements such as Co, Fe and As are the elements with high correlation coefficient with Cu, which means they exist as impurities in Cu, and the content of As showed an increase in the order of tableware, memorial service vessels and bell bronze. In addition, the analysis of lead isotope ratio showed that 3 bronze materials with high lead content were made from the lead coming from Japan and China. The composition of the solder was Cu:Sn:Pb = 83:12:5 where small Pb crystals were distributed evenly.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.9
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• pp.17-29
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• 2008

We conducted preservation treatment for 25 pieces of coins of Goryeo era in collection of the National Museum of Korea. Object coins are 5 kinds of 'Donggukjungbo', 'Dongguktongbo', 'Haedongtongbo', 'Haedongjungbo', 'Samhanjungbo'. As it is worried that if all chlorides able to make bad influence on reclics are removed, letter and chape of coin can be damaged, they were removed partially. To date, inscribed letter form of Dongguktongbo is known as more than 6 types, and as a result of interpreting X-ray photos, 3 types of inscribed letters were identified by this study. Bronze rust acquired in the process of removing rust on coins, origin of materials for coin was assumed through lead isotope ratio analysis. Latest tendency is that diverse scientific analyses are conducted based on bronze rust.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.5
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• pp.49-57
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• 2004

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok was completed in 771 A.D. It is a true masterpiece both grand in its size and style (height 3.66 m, diameter 2.23 m, thickness 20.3 cm, weight 18.9 ton), illustrating the essence of the Korean bronze culture. However, there are no remaining records about its casting: where the raw material came from, how the materials were mixed and how the bell was casted. The absence of such records has limited the understanding of the bell. This article contains analysis of three samples collected from a protruding part inside of the bell during a safety test for the bell by the Gyeongju National Museum. The main issues are the element composition of the bell, microstructure on the casting time and the source where the raw material came from.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.392-402
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• 2019

This study interpreted the characteristics of the site and provenance of raw material by performing material characteristics analysis of the slags and tuyeres excavated from the Sinpung site in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do. The major chemical compositions suggested that the slags and tuyeres were created when Cu-Sn-Pb was alloyed. Metal microscope and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer analyses revealed that the slags and tuyeres were by-products formed in the alloying process. This alloy, created by adding galena to copper and tin ingots, was an intermediary material used in making the finished products. According to the lead isotope ratio analysis result, slags could be made using galena of the southern Zone III region of Korea. Based on the decomposition of mica group minerals and the formation of mullite detected through X-ray diffraction analysis, it is possible to conclude that the tuyeres operated at approximately 1,000℃ as, the mullite was detected on the outside of the tuyeres.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

This study investigated manufacturing technique and provenance of the Gilt-bronze Seated Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) Statue of Janggoksa Temple. The statue had the following : Cu(68.8%)-Sn(10.4%)-Pb(17.1%), it is similar to other medium or large Buddha statue. As results of comparison lead isotope ratio of sample with the provenance data were plotted in zone 3 of the South Korean galena map. According to this result of Bronze Buddha could be made into galena of the located in same area the temple. The results of this study were compared with the Bronze Bodhisattva statue of Goseongsa Temple. The manufacturing techniques were different based on the characteristics of Buddha statues and thus could be made into galena of the located in same area the temple.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.40
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• pp.357-386
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• 2007

At present, thirteen Buddhist bells of Unified Silla are known to the world: Six in Korea, five in Japan and two other bells, and three out of them are impossible to make out its original form. Therefore, we divided the form of Unified Silla Buddhist bells based on the ten other bells, and we tried out to prove the manufacturing technology by the comparison of the research material of Uncheon-dong bell and existing research materials of other bells, in other to find their linkage based on the alloy elemental composition. We divided Unified Silla Buddhist bell into two types: Type I has symmetric apsaras and regular patterns on its face and it was made in early Silla period; type II has asymmetric apsaras and irregular pattern arrangement and made in late Silla period. In particular, Uncheon-dong Buddhist bells is very similar to Komyoji[光明寺] temple bell from ninth century in Japan. It is peculiar that the apsaras on Uncheon-dong bell play vertical music instruments that are never seen in Unified Silla Buddhist bell. Most of Unified Silla Buddhist bell are compounded with Cu-Sn or Cu-Sn-Pb system. From eighth and ninth century, bells were cast with even composition of copper, tin and lead, and the bronze alloy ratio was similar to the record in Gogonggi[考工記], Jurye[周禮], a book from ancient China. Particularly, Uncheon-dong bell is in a rare case of Cu-Sn-Pb-As system. As had been rarely used in Unified Silla Buddhist bells, so we presented the relative research materials. As has the same nature as Pb. Because As easily volatilize at high temperature, it is hard to use. But it has its merit of solidity and durability. Pb enhances fluidity and thereby expresses the patterns more distinct; As makes the bell stronger. The result of lead isotope ratio could not exactly reveal a concrete producing center. However, over the analysis of our samples, hereby we suggest Uncheon-dong bell was made of materials from just one ore deposit.