Petrological approach to elucidation of masonry cultural heritages in Southeast Asia represented by the Angkor monuments.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23401001
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 海外学術
• Research Field: Cultural assets study and museology
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Etsuo Uchida 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 教授 (40185020)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SHIMODA Ichita 筑波大学, 芸術系, 助教 (40386719)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 石造文化財 / アンコール遺跡 / サンボール・プレイ・クック遺跡 / コー・ケル遺跡 / プレア・ヴィヘア遺跡 / 石材 / 石材劣化 / レンガ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on the chemical compositions, magnetic susceptibility, and size and other characteristics of the stone blocks and bricks used in the Angkor monument, the Sambor Prei Kuk monument, the Koh Ker monument and the Preah Vihear monument, we deduced the construction sequence. We found more than 100 quarries of the gray to yellowish brown sandstone used in the Angkor monument, and elucidated the transportation route of the sandstone blocks. In addition, we conducted the investigation of provenance of iron ores which were raw materials of iron used in the construction of the monuments. The surfaces of construction materials have blackened in the Khmer monuments. Most of this discoloring is caused by blue-green algae, but other black areas on the surface of construction materials are frequently observed. A non-destructive investigation revealed that this blackening was caused by manganese oxide precipitates.

Free Research Field

文化財科学、岩石・鉱物・鉱床学