Conservation of the Stone armours

The conservation of the suits of armour made of limestone plates from the burial complex of Qin Shihuang started as a new subproject in the year 2000. The suits of armour consist of numerous small limestone plates which were connected with bronze wires.

After detailed material examination and laboratory tests, a concept for the lifting from the site and restoration was developed. The finds were covered with cyclododecane which solidifies as the solvent evaporates and, in combination with a mechanical support, allowed a safe lifting even of larger blocks of findings. Afterwards the cyclododecane could either be removed rapidly with non-polar solvents, or it could be left to sublimate slowly over a long period of time. Subsequently the conservation work started, including the cleaning, proper arrangement and gluing of the small plates as well as the stabilisation of the bronze wires. In 2007, this subproject was successfully finished with the restoration of an entire suit of armour.

Sandra Bucher, Graduate Restorer (2001-2007)