Research conducted by a joint team including Professor Emeritus Kim Chul Sung from the Department of Nanoelectronic Physics, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul), and Dr. Choi Hyun Kyung from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), along with collaborators from ESQ Co., Ltd., Konyang University, Kongju National University, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), and KAERI, has been published in the world-renowned archaeology journal JAS (Journal of Archaeological Science).

This research was conducted as part of the 2024 National Research Foundation of Korea Mid-Career Researcher Support Program (Principal Investigator: Professor Kim Chul Sung). The paper, titled “Ceramic color as an unreliable proxy for firing conditions: new approaches from Gwanbuk-ri site, Korea,” scientifically reexamines existing archaeological interpretations that estimated production conditions based on the color of Baekje Sabi-period roof tiles. JAS is an international SSCI journal in Archaeological Science published by Elsevier. It covers the development and application of scientific techniques across all fields of archaeology and is recognized as one of the world's top academic journals.

Traditional archaeology has estimated firing temperatures and the oxidizing or reducing atmosphere of kilns based on artifact colors. However, this study scientifically demonstrated that firing conditions cannot be accurately determined by color alone through a convergent approach combining physics and archaeology. The research team applied physical analytical techniques to archaeological interpretations using roof tiles excavated from the Gwanbuk-ri site in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do (presumed to be the Baekje Sabi-period royal palace site), provided by the National Buyeo Cultural Heritage Research Institute. To this end, they employed various analytical techniques including: ▲Colorimetric analysis, ▲X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), ▲Carbon–Hydrogen elemental analysis, ▲X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), ▲Neutron activation analysis (NAA, using the HANARO reactor at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute), ▲Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), and ▲Voltage-Swing Magnetometry (VSM) analysis. This presented a novel scientific approach integrating physics and nuclear analysis techniques into the interpretation of archaeological Baekje Sabi-period roof tile artifacts.

The research team revealed through Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) and magnetic property (VSM) analysis that iron oxides within the tiles vary not just with temperature but also depending on the oxidizing or reducing environment within the kiln. Furthermore, Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) detected trace elements and residual fuel materials, confirming that the tile color is not simply a result of temperature but a product of the complex interaction between materials and combustion conditions.

Professor Emeritus Kim Chul Sung of Kookmin University stated, “This research presents a new analytical paradigm that goes beyond traditional color-centered archaeological interpretation by integrating quantitative spectroscopy with neutron and gamma-ray-based spectroscopic techniques. It serves as a pioneering example of convergence research, showcasing the value of Baekje Sabi-period roof tiles—a Korean cultural artifact—to the global community.”