Analytical Characterization of Wooden Figurines Excavated from the Tomb of Princess Yongtai, Qianling Tomb, China

Abstract

Wooden figurines were excavated from the tomb of the Princess Yongtai of the Tang Dynasty. A series of analytical techniques were employed to understand the craftsmanship of wooden figurines during the Tang Dynasty. The pigments, cross-sections, and adhesives were analyzed using energy X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX), micro-Raman spectroscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). The results demonstrate that the pigments were primarily cinnabar, malachite, azurite, goethite, carbon black, and anglesite. The cross-sectional images show that the painted layer of the wooden figurines includes pigment and preparation layers. The main component of the preparation layer was mendipite. Chinese wax, animal glue, and benzoin were used as adhesives. This study provides scientific support for antiquarians and a basis for the protection and repair of this valuable world cultural heritage site.

Keywords:

• Micro-Raman spectroscopy
• pigments
• polarized light microscopy
• pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)
• wooden figurines

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Qianling Museum for the sample support for this study.

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest are reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Innovation Project in the School of Materials Science and Engineering (SNNU), Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2020SF-358), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. GK202205025).