The Study on Physical Properties of Red Bricks of the Bagan remains in Myanmar

Seung Jun Oh; Dong Min Kim; Koang Chul Wi

Seung Jun Oh
Dong Min Kim
Koang Chul Wi

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Aimed at securing basic data by analyzing techniques of making and features of red bricks used for buildings at the Bagan’s remains through natural scientific analysis.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Its physical properties are to be checked through measuring chromaticity, the whole rock magnetic susceptibility, specific gravity and absorption rate, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and its mineralogical properties are to be investigated by using the X-ray diffraction analysis and the TG-DTA analysis method. Besides, its micro-structure is to be checked by using a stereoscopic microscope and a scanning electron microscope, and basic data are to be provided by examining and analyzing features and techniques of making, states etc.

Findings: The study is to estimate construction technologies and brick-manufacturing technologies, whether they used a furnace for bricks or not, sintering temperature and sintering technologies etc. at the Bagan kingdom by analyzing some red bricks collected from the Bagan’s remains in Myanmar. As a result of analysis, it showed the result of sintering temperature similar to the method of firing earthenware etc. at low temperature of 500 to 600℃ outdoors in prehistoric times of South Korea so it is estimated that during the Bagan kingdom in Myanmar, they would use the same method of producing bricks for use as this. Besides, it is judged that they were fired outdoors so they were red because iron inside bricks was oxidized.

Improvements/Applications: If scientific, historical and liberal studies on other technologies of manufacturing bricks aside from how to fire were conducted constantly, it is judged that it would be possible to approach construction technologies and brick-manufacturing technologies at the Bagan kingdom in Myanmar more systematically and objectively.

Keywords: Myanmar Bagan, Bagan Temple, Red brick, Physical properties, Conservation science, Scientific analysis.