The Nara National Research Institute for Japanese Cultural Properties is researching and developing preservation technology tailored to the priceless wooden relics within Hanoi’s Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
The institute plans cooperation with fellow research agencies, including Kyoto University, to create the necessary timber preservation chemicals suitable in Vietnam’s hot and humid climate.
Institute experts will investigate the current state of the citadel’s relics, comparing the artifacts with wooden items sourced from other sites. They will also survey the warehousing and storage practices of Vietnamese museums.
The Nara Institute will establish a research station in Vietnam Forestry University to study old trees and timber and assess effectiveness of trial preservatives.
Excavated in 2002, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long contains various precious wooden relics spanning pillar systems, boats, and lacquer adornment. Many have suffered damage as a consequence of inappropriate preservation techniques.