Effects of drifting sand particles on deterioration of mural paintings on the east wall of cave 285 in Mogao caves, Dunhuang

Abstract

The Mogao caves, which are designated as a World Heritage site, house the remains of one of the largest collections of Buddhist mural paintings. The cave investigated in this study is cave 285, which has paintings on the walls and ceiling. The purpose of this research is to identify the causes for the deterioration of the paintings, particularly on the east wall. Emphasis is placed on collision and adhesion of sand particles driven by the wind into the cave as a candidate cause of deterioration on the east wall.