[Report] Analyzing Fossils and Cultural Assets of Ggamgam Cliff... Looking for a Window to Brightly Illuminate

National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Cultural Heritage Analysis Information Center Opens in Daejeon on the 15th
Systematic Management from Sample Collection, Pretreatment, Analysis, Storage to Database
Equipment Including Accelerator Mass Spectrometer Planned... Staffing Remains a Challenge

National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Cultural Heritage Analysis Information Center

Heungsu Child is known as the oldest burial fossil in Korea. It has been introduced as a Paleolithic fossil human in various media such as the National Institute of Korean History and EBS. However, the academic evidence is surprisingly weak. There is no absolute dating data. Radiocarbon dating conducted by the University of California, Riverside (1987), Seoul National University (2007), and the Max Planck Institute in Germany (2011) failed due to poor samples. In 2011, radiocarbon dating by the French Institute of Human Paleontology analyzed the sample as dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, shocking the academic community. Chungbuk National University rebutted, stating that the sample was extracted from bones treated with hardening agents and thus unreliable.

In 1983, when Heungsu Child was discovered, awareness and technology for sample analysis were minimal. Even with current technology, it is difficult to measure the absolute age of bones treated with hardening agents. Professor Lee Sang-hee of the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Riverside, emphasized in the paper "Is Heungsu Child No. 1 Really a Paleolithic Burial Fossil? (2018)" that "Considering various circumstances, it is highly likely that Heungsu Child is a Holocene skeleton rather than a fossil," and stressed the need to explore approaches that allow investigation without destroying the data.

Human Bone Excavation Survey

The most useful method for directly measuring the age of bones is radiocarbon dating. All parts of the bone can be utilized. However, to increase accuracy, long bones or teeth, which retain protein best, should be targeted. Shin Ji-young, a curator at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, explained, "When a living organism dies, carbon isotopes decrease over time, with a half-life of 5,730 years," adding, "By measuring the amount of remaining carbon isotopes, we can estimate when it died."

Among the 10 major OECD countries, Korea is the only one without a radiocarbon dating device for cultural heritage. Although operated by institutions such as the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and Korea Apparel Testing & Research Institute, all are specialized in other fields and lack expertise.

Sending collected samples overseas for analysis and only receiving the results also has limitations. Problems can arise in sample selection, contamination risk, and database construction. High costs, long analysis times, and overseas data leakage are also obstacles. However, with no suitable alternatives, 25% of samples are sent abroad, 85% of which are entrusted to Japan. Each sample costs about 1 million KRW.

Genetic Resources (Ancient DNA Laboratory - Skeletal Investigation)

The Cultural Heritage Analysis Information Center, opened by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage on the 15th, can solve these problems at once. It is an institution that stores and manages various artifact samples and conducts systematic analytical research. It has laboratories for dating measurement, mass spectrometry, and sample storage. Director Ji Byung-mok of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage stated, "Systematic management is possible from sample collection to preprocessing, analysis, storage, and database," adding, "We will establish designation and verification processes for national treasures and treasures, and provide services such as policy utilization and big data-based public resource openness and sharing."

The core equipment has not yet been installed. These include the accelerator mass spectrometer, which measures radiocarbon dating of bones, wood, and fibers, and the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating device, which measures the age of pottery, roof tiles, and soil. They will be introduced in August and next year, respectively. The Cultural Heritage Analysis Information Center currently operates sample preprocessing rooms and stable isotope analysis rooms, leaving space for these devices. Work is underway to remove external contaminants from samples and isolate components that retain the era information of cultural heritage and artifacts. For example, collagen is extracted from bones, and cellulose from wood.

Accelerator Mass Spectrometer for Measuring Radiocarbon Dating of Bone, Wood, and Fiber

Curator Shin explained, "After sample collection, contaminants are removed and the sample is graphitized to prepare specimens," adding, "Establishing preprocessing procedures for various materials and building an international standard laboratory can greatly improve analysis reliability." The accelerator mass spectrometer can analyze trace isotopes by mass difference. This is expected to bring significant changes to archaeology, which mainly relies on charcoal dating. Curator Shin stated, "We plan to apply improved preprocessing methods not only to highly reliable samples such as bones, wood, paper, and fibers but also to cremated bones, lacquer, adhesives, and organic residues in pottery."

The use of the optically stimulated luminescence dating device is also diverse. It measures the physical phenomenon that occurs when light energy is applied to pottery, roof tiles, soil layers, and walls, allowing determination of the last time these items were exposed to light. Curator Shin explained, "Dating is possible up to about 500,000 years ago."

National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Cultural Heritage Analysis Information Center

Visible results are not expected immediately. The center is currently in the stage of establishing systems with newly acquired equipment. Director Ji said, "We plan to build a foundation for collaboration between domestic and international institutions and an international standard laboratory by 2025." Securing professional personnel is also urgent. Currently, there are only three researchers in the Conservation Science Research Lab. They must operate the accelerator mass spectrometer and optically stimulated luminescence dating device, conduct scientific analysis related to designation and preservation of nationally designated cultural properties, and analyze cultural heritage materials by type.

Overseas cultural heritage institutions have separate analysts for each field such as paleobiological fluids, pottery/ceramics/glass, paper/textiles, and wood. Efficient operational independence must precede to prevent errors like those involving Heungsu Child.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.