Page 28 - PowerE-L05-F

Lesson 7

Preserving Historical Relics

With the present economic globalization, many
valuable historical relics around the world are in
danger due to natural and manmade destruction.

Naturally, historical relics are housed in museums
beside other buildings in the cities. However, con-
struction and rebuilding of cities bring constructive
destruction to all kinds of historical relics. Thus, it

is as important to provide protection for historical
relics all over the world. Several ways of preserving
historical relics have been practiced by some na-
tions. In China, utilization and development of the underground space is proposed to protect

historical relics. Underground preservation of the valuable relics in the past will no longer be
affected by the economic development. The technology on the use of silicone as protection
against molds, collapsing, crack formation and salt deposition on valuable relics and assets
of the past is being encouraged. Silicone has several properties such as good permeability,

high substituting rate and excellent covering power, which makes it a good preservative.
Hydrophilic silicone permits processing from the surface. Suppression of collapse, erosion
and mold formation on various materials of historical relics such as mud, kitchen midden,
carbonized charcoal and gravestone were successful examples on the use of hydrophilic

silicones.

Comprehension

1. Why are historical relics in danger of destruction?
2. Name some of the good properties of silicone.

Questions

1. What is the importance of historical relics?
2. How can hydrophilic silicones protect historical relics?

Vocabulary & Expressions

relic - something that has survived from the past
molds -a fungus that causes organic matter to decay
deposition - build-up of natural materials by a gradual process
permeable - allowing fluids, gases or magnetic fields to pass through
hydrophilic - mixing, dissolving with water easily

26