A Study on Conservative Material for the Bas-Reliefs of the Bayon Temple in Angkor Monuments

Abstract eng:
The gallery wall on which the Bas-reliefs are etched of the Bayon temple in Angkor is made of sandstones. The deterioration caused by penetration of rainwater or groundwater is being accelerated and these sandstones are in serious condition. The aim of this research is to select a water repellent agent and an agent for reinforcing and consolidated sandstone pieces that compose the bas-relief wall. Three type of consolidation products and nine species of water repellent agents were taken. And for cracks and lost parts, eight type of the restorative materials for repair and forming for Bas-relief are to be selected. These samples were exposed since 2007. As results, the weather ability of each agents are cleared with some measurements which are water absorption, surface hardness test and ultrasonic propagation. A certain level of evaluation of consolidation product and water-repellent agent has been obtained. The hardness of consolidation product is returning to the pre-treatment state after six years of exposure. Effect of each water-repellent agent was well maintained even though the surface hardness is returning to the pre-treatment state in the exposure test using combination of consolidation product and water-repellent agent. However, for the test piece treated with water-repellent agent only, water-repellent effect started to vary after three years of exposure. For aged change of restorative materials for repair and forming, surface treatment is required to prevent collapse and discoloration. It was found that application of water-repellent agent only is not effective and that the role of surface treatment agent is important. Microbial flora that is easy to adhere at the early stage was revealed. Many Ascomycota groups are also detected by DNA analysis as initial microorganism which attached the surface of test pieces.

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