Nondestructive testing and assessment of consolidation effects of earthen sites

A groundbreaking approach to assess the consolidation effects on earthen archaeological sites, such as the UNESCO-listed Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, has been developed. This study demonstrates that nondestructive and micro-damage testing methods—including thermo-physical parameter analysis, infrared thermal imaging, high-density microelectrode resistivity testing, portable microscopy, and hydrophilic/hydrophobic testing—can effectively evaluate the properties of consolidation materials used in cultural relic preservation without causing harm to the sites. These techniques provide a scientific basis for judging the efficacy of conservation treatments, addressing a longstanding challenge in archaeology where assessments have traditionally relied on subjective visual observations and expert evaluations.

Wang, X., Guo, Q., Yang, S., Zhang, D., & Wang, Y. (2016). Nondestructive testing and assessment of consolidation effects of earthen sites. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 8(5), 726–733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.06.001