In the study, published on 25 July this year in the prestigious Heritage Science, Prof Marek Sikorski from the AMU Faculty of Chemistry, jointly with researchers from Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, and the National Research Center for Conservation of Ancient Wall Paintings and Earthen Sites, Dunhuang, from China in collaboration with the prestigious Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Mus´ees de France, France, released exciting results from a model study and examination of an authentic mural fragment from Mogao Cave 196. The research suggests a newly built measuring system - a unique method for identifying the pigments and a method for determining their thickness.
The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, situated in Gansu Province, China, are a significant part of Chinese cultural heritage dating back to the pre-Qin Dynasty, more than 1,600 years ago. The caves are recognised as a world pinnacle of Buddhist art. The site includes over 2,000 painted carvings and around 735 caves. They were recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
Prof. Sikorski, head of the Department of Spectroscopy and Magnetism, is one of six Professors from the AMU Faculty of Chemistry who have been awarded visiting professor status at Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou (NWNU). The work published in Heritage Science is the outcome of a partnership initiated by the Chinese partner. Following the successful visit of AMU scientists to NWNU in 2023, consultations and lectures delivered there, the contribution in Heritage Science is an example of the tangible results of the cooperation established several years ago with Prof Duixiong Sun and Prof Denghong Zhang, both from NWNU. It is Prof. Sikorski's second publication with a group from NWNU. More are in preparation and planning.
Photo by Adrian Wykrota