Metal Plate Connectors and Iron Nails on the Tripitaka Koreana Printing Woodblocks

A groundbreaking analysis of the Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks, reveals the compositional details of its metal components. Copper was identified as the primary material in the plate connectors used to secure the woodblocks, while iron nails, forged by hand from sponge iron, were employed to connect the end pieces with the main printing plates. This study utilized advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and scanning electron microscopy to unravel these historical craftsmanship details, providing valuable insights into the materials and methods used in 13th-century Korean printing technology.

Do, C. H., Pyun, C.-H., Yu, B.-Y., & Bae, J. H. (2013). Metal Plate Connectors and Iron Nails on the Tripitaka Koreana Printing Woodblocks. Archaeological Chemistry VIII, 277–291. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2013-1147.ch016