Chinese lacquer (urushi), a traditional East Asian coating material, has been used for more than 7000 years due to its durability, gloss, and cultural significance. However, its long-term stability under natural light remains insufficiently studied, especially regarding the role of mineral pigments in modulating photoaging behavior. In this study, three traditional lacquer coatings pigmented with cinnabar (HgS), orpiment (As₂S₃), and lapis lazuli were subjected to natural light aging for nine weeks. Colorimetric analysis revealed rapid chromatic changes during the initial stage of exposure, followed by slower transformations, with cinnabar-based red lacquer showing superior stability compared to orpiment- and lapis-based coatings. Gloss measurements and surface roughness analyses demonstrated a strong negative correlation, with yellow lacquer exhibiting the most severe gloss loss (≈30%) and roughness increase (≈89%), consistent with scanning electron microscopy observations of microcracking and surface deterioration. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated pigment-dependent oxidative degradation, characterized by intensified carbonyl and aromatic C=C bands. Collectively, the results confirm that mineral pigments strongly influence the optical, chemical, and structural stability of lacquer coatings. From a conservation perspective, cinnabar-based lacquers exhibit higher resilience, whereas orpiment- and lapis-colored coatings are highly vulnerable, underscoring the need for pigment-specific preservation strategies for lacquerware cultural heritage.

This article explores recent advancements in non-destructive spectroscopic techniques for identifying pigments in polychrome cultural relics, emphasizing their significance for sustainability in cultural heritage preservation. Techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy facilitate the accurate identification of pigment compositions while ensuring the integrity of the artifacts is maintained. Our findings indicate that integrating multiple spectroscopic methods enhances the accuracy of pigment identification and deepens our understanding of the structural and preservation status of historical artifacts. We also outline future directions for spectroscopic analysis in the field of cultural heritage, including micro-area analysis, data fusion, and intelligent data processing, aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of pigment identification, ultimately contributing to the sustainable preservation of cultural assets.

The Shenduntou Site, a significant Zhou Dynasty settlement in Anhui Province, provides rare insights into early Chinese woodcraft. This study examines exceptionally preserved wooden structures from Well J1, dating to the Western Zhou period (9th–8th c. BCE). Anatomical analysis identified the timber as Firmiana simplex (L.), indicating ancient selection of this locally available species for its water resistance and mechanical suitability in well construction. Comprehensive degradation assessment revealed severe structural deterioration: maximum water content (1100% ± 85% vs. modern 120% ± 8%) demonstrated extreme porosity from hydrolysis; X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed a 69.5% reduction in cellulose crystallinity (16.1% vs. modern 52.8%); Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed near-total hemicellulose degradation, partial cellulose loss, and lignin enrichment due to chemical recalcitrance; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging documented multiscale damage including vessel thinning, pit membrane loss, and cell wall delamination from hydrolytic, microbial, and mineral degradation. These findings reflect Western Zhou inhabitants’ pragmatic resource utilisation while highlighting advanced material deterioration that poses significant conservation challenges, providing critical insights into Zhou-era woodcraft and human–environment interactions in the lower Yangtze region.

The Nantong Ancient Ship refers to an ancient Chinese wooden ship of the late Ming Dynasty excavated in Nantong city in December 2022. This paper identifies the wood and discusses its related analysis. Wood samples extracted from the Nantong Ancient Ship were studied from the viewpoints of anatomy, physics, and chemistry. Microscopic identification results concluded that willow and Chinese fir were the main wood species used to make this ship. The content of holocellulose in the ancient wood was only 37.9 to 38.9%, while the content of lignin was 55.2 to 56.4%. The cellulose crystallinity of ancient wood was 39 to 42% lower than that of healthy recent wood. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the deterioration of ancient wood caused cellulose and hemicellulose degradation, but no apparent lignin alteration. The results could provide a basis for drawing up a conservation plan for the Nantong Ancient Ship. They could also provide a reference for the research and conservation of other archaeological shipwrecks in China.