Microscale movements of an ancient Korean Royal Tomb in Gongju based on environmental changes

The Tomb of King Muryeong and the Royal Tombs in Gongju, constructed during the Woongjin period (475–538 AD) of the Baekje Kingdom in ancient Korea, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tomb No. 5 deteriorated rapidly after being opened to the public without systematic conservation, leading to environmental and structural instability. To address this, long-term monitoring (2011–2022) assessed the impact of installing airtight windows. Results showed a partial reduction in environmental influences but minimal improvement in airtightness. Micro-movements of the tomb walls were linked to seasonal changes, external air, rainfall, and soil moisture. Heat transmission through materials also caused seasonal variations in internal wall separations. Despite improvements, the lintel stone continued subsiding, requiring further conservation. This study underscores the importance of precise and continuous monitoring for the long-term conservation of Tomb No. 5 and highlights the need for systematic conservation strategies to protect historic tombs from environmental and structural deterioration.