Material Characteristics of Lime Plaster in Goguryeo Mural Tombs (I): Focusing on Lime Plaster Excavated from Anak Tomb No.3

Abstract

Physical and chemical investigations were conducted on lime sample from Anak TombNo.3 to determine the properties of the plaster material. The morphological and physical characteristicsof the specimens were analyzed using both a microscope and a polarizing microscope. The constituentmaterials were identified through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersivespectrometer, and the qualities of the mixed material were established through thermal analysis. Additionally, micro-computed tomography was used to non-destructively confirm the internal structureand density characteristics. The lime sample was recognized as a lime plaster material with two uniquelayers. Each layer shows variations in material properties. It is speculated that this lime specimen wasused to finish the edges of the authentic wall within Anak Tomb No.3. Through the synthesis of variousmorphological attributes and physical properties; the whiteness, durability, thinness, and repetition ofthe layers, as well as smoothness of the lime plaster used for Anak Tomb No. 3 indicate that a highlevel of lime wall plastering technique was used in Goguryeo Tomb. It was possible to evaluate therefined level of lime wall manufacturing technology in the Goguryeo era.