Possible mechanism for explaining the concretion of unearthed silk fabrics

This work studied the concretion components of ancient silk fabrics unearthed from Nanjing, China. Based on the analysis of the components, mechanism of concretion of the silk fabrics were proposed. Physical, chemical, and biological factors were considered as possible reasons for the concretion of ancient silk fabrics. Mechanical extrusion or falling, crystal bonding, Van der walls forces, hydrogen bonding, covalent bonding, and ionic bonding are purposed as possible influences and/or interactions between the concretion components and silk fabrics. The concretion mechanism, which includes common mineralization nucleation, re-crystallization, bio-mineralization nucleation and crystallization are discussed separately. Mineralization nucleation and crystallization have a great influence on the aging, hardening (even rotting), and final concreting of buried silk fabrics. Possible processing models were established according to the results obtained. This study presents new viewpoints to understand the concretion of unearthed silk fabrics, which could provide theoretical evidence for the unfolding of concreted silk fabrics, especially those fragile, even rotten ones. (c) 2023 Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This work studied the concretion components of ancient silk fabrics unearthed from Nanjing, China and proposed possible mechanisms and influencing factors for the concretion. Possible processing models were established based on the results obtained, providing theoretical evidence for the unfolding of concreted silk fabrics.