National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage to Unveil Advanced Restoration Technologies

Scientific Analysis of Weapons and AI Preservation Technologies on Display

Workshop Brings Together Eight Regional Institutions

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will showcase the scientific analysis, restoration, and experimental processes involved in national heritage from September 10 to 12 at the World National Heritage Industry Exhibition held at the HwaBaek Convention Center in Gyeongju. Through the exhibition, titled "Reviving Ancient Resilience with Today's Technology," the institute will offer a detailed look into actual research procedures conducted in their laboratories.

Front View of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.

At the introduction, artifacts such as a body protector, helmet, and neck guard excavated from Tomb C10 at Gyeongju Jjoksaem, as well as gilt-bronze and iron arm guards from Tomb 41 at Jjoksaem, and a wooden shield from Wolseong in Gyeongju will be on display. The exhibition will then present videos and photos showing how researchers analyze the internal structure and traces of manufacture on iron relics from Stone Chamber Tomb 1 at Jeongchon in Naju to determine ancient ironworking techniques, and validate the performance of reconstructed ancient bone arrowheads through actual archery experiments. Furthermore, the institute will precisely analyze the thickness and connection method of plates comprising ancient horse armor—key protective equipment in mounted warfare—using X-ray imaging and microscopy, revealing material characteristics.

In the National Heritage Research and Development (R&D) Technology Hall, intelligent preservation technologies that combine artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D scanning will be introduced. Six major core technologies will be showcased, including digital restoration, diagnosis and treatment of cultural heritage, support for the restoration of original forms damaged by climate events, preventive protection against fire, prevention of termite and mold damage, and corrosion prevention for metallic heritage. Research results and new initiatives from academia, industry, and research institutes will be exhibited for each technology.

Practical discussions among organizations on applying advanced technologies in the field will also take place. On September 11 in the afternoon, a workshop titled "Cultural Heritage Research and Utilization: Adding New Technology" will be held in collaboration with the cultural heritage research institutes of seven metropolitan governments. Eight institutions will gather to discuss strategies for applying super-precision digital restoration of movable cultural heritage, and advanced on-site technologies for high-precision positioning and management of tangible national heritage assets.

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