A Qing Dynasty official document, severely damaged over time, has undergone successful characterization and restoration using traditional conservation methods. This significant effort involved multiple analytical techniques and innovative preservation strategies aimed at extending the life of this historical artifact.
Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) focused their study on a belong official document, produced during the Qing Dynasty's Xuantong reign (1911 A.D.) at Nanyang College. The document, which was relocated to Xi’an during the 1950s as part of the University’s initiative to support national development efforts, embodies not only the history of Xi’an Jiaotong University but also the enduring spirit of the Westward Relocation.
Upon examination, the document was found to be significantly degraded, suffering from acidification, cracking, discolouration, mold growth, and water stains. The assessment utilized various techniques, including pH measurement, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings indicated the paper's pH to be alarmingly low, around 3.31, contributing to its impaired condition.
"The results indicate the paper archive is acidic and degraded, which is also supported by the broken fibres as observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)," noted the authors of the article. These alarming conditions signal the urgent need for conservation measures, as highlighted by the records at XJTU Archives.
Conservation efforts included the application of traditional deacidification and reinforcement techniques. This process involved the treatment of the document's acidic nature using magnesium bicarbonate, which effectively neutralized acids and restored some balance to the paper. The researchers conducted non-destructive pH tests on remnants of the historical paper, using portable pH meters to measure the acidity of the sample accurately.
Following deacidification, the crystalline index of the historical paper sample was measured at 44.54% with FTIR, marking it lower than typical standards, pointing to significant degradation. The comparative analysis may serve as guidance for future studies concerning the preservation of similar artifacts.
"Given exposure to undesirable storage conditions, this paper archive has suffered from severe acidification, cracking, discolouration, mold growth, and water stains," the authors detailed their observations, highlighting the broad impacts of environmental factors on paper longevity. Different environmental tests were conducted, including dry-heat degradation at 105 °C and moist-heat degradation at 80 °C with high humidity, to evaluate the durability of the conservation materials used.
Throughout the testing phases, the conservation materials—chiefly made from Wikstroemia fibers and bound with wheat starch paste—demonstrated remarkable resilience against degradation. The conservation treatments not only included deacidification but also involved physically securing fractured pieces of paper and applying backing paper to bolster its structural integrity.
"Conservation treatments were then carried out for this historical paper archive, including assembling the pieces of the paper archive and pasting backing paper, to provide extra mechanical support," the authors explained. This collaborative effort aimed to restore the historical and cultural significance of the document, ensuring it may be passed down to future generations.
After the restoration procedures, the average thickness of the historical document increased from 56 micrometers to 120 micrometers, indicating the effectiveness of the backing paper added during the conservation process. The pH of the preserved document then rose to 7.58, providing it with adequate alkaline reserves to improve its long-term viability.
The study's findings are not only relevant for this specific artifact; they also contribute significantly to the broader field of paper conservation. The combination of innovative and traditional methods offers insights and methodologies beneficial for future restoration projects involving other damaged historical documents.
"Based on the damaging condition of the historical paper archive, good durability of the conservation materials, and deacidification effects using the saturated magnesium bicarbonate solution, the paper archive was conserved and deacidified. This highlights the importance of applied materials science and technological expertise within conservation practices."
Through the publication of this research, the authors aim to inspire and guide other conservationists addressing the challenges posed by similar artifacts across various institutions worldwide, advocating for the continued preservation of cultural heritage.